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PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL 

SKETCHES 

AND FACIAL HISTORY 

OF AND BY MEMBERS 
OF THE 

Seventh Regiment 

MICHIGAN VOLUNTEER 
CAVALRY 

1862-1865 




COMPILED BY *. ' 

WILLIAM O. LEE 

Late Q. M. Sergeant- £o. "M" 



published by 

7th Michigan Cavalry Association 

detroit, mich. 



\ 






^ 

b 



'\ 



To the Living Members of the Seventh Michigan Cavalry, 
and to their Wives and Children; and to the Wives, Children, 
Brothers and Sisters of the Dead of the Seventh Michigan 
Cavalry, who, by their Loyalty to their Country gave up their 
Lives that it might Live; and to the Heirs of those who have 
Answered the east Bugee Caee since Appomattox, I have Cheer- 
fueey Given My Service in the Compiling of this Interesting 
Work. Many Thanks to the Living Members of the Seventh for 
the Material that has been so Generously Contributed for it; 
to them all i very gladly dedicate this book. 

WILLIAM O. LEE. 



Press of 
The Ralston-Strotjp Printing Company 

Detroit, Mic h : 



OFFICERS 



OF THE 

Seventh Michigan Cavalry Association 
1901 and 1902. 



President, William O. Lee, 

379 Hancock Ave. East, or 99-103 Abbott Street, Detroit. 

Secretary and Treasurer, B. Griffin, 

Carrollton, Saginaw Co., Mich. 



VICE-PRESIDENTS. 

Co. A, J. K. Fisher, Sonoma, Calhoun Co., 

B, D. L. Gould, Adrian, 

C, J. N. Wilson, Auburn, Indiana, 

D, Al. Shotwell, Dimondale, Ingham Co. 

E, Walden W. Raymond, Williamston, 

F, C. H. Beardslee, Marcellus, 

G, W. H. Hibbard, Detroit, 

H, Ed. Bissell, Hickory Corners, 

J, Wm. Hastings, Albion, 

K, J. L. Young, Prairieville, 

L, W. Stringham, Augusta, 

M, Thomas C. Williams, Hastings, 



EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 

Geo. W. Hill, 70 Piquette Ave., Detroit, Mich. 

Win. H. Fisher, 1046 Warren Ave. W. 
Roswell H. Holmes, l 2;\ Joy St., 
W. H. Hibbard, 361 Cass Ave., 

Jos. Doherty, 208 Fischer Ave. 

I 



P RKFACE 

To the members of the Seventh Michigan Cavalry and the 
public, in conceiving, developing and bringing out this Per- 
sonal Facial History, it has not been the aim or intention of 
the compiler to give to the public a wonderful work, but to 
place on record some unwritten history of the great War of the 
Rebellion as enacted and seen by individuals by incorporating 
their personal experience and observation as soldiers on the 
march or on the held of battle as they saw them, that such un- 
written history may be recorded and placed on the tablet of 
history that it may be preserved to continue through the ages 
of time for the benefit and information of future generations. 
Two or more may write upon the same event transpiring on 
the same day and even at about the same time, and each descrip- 
tion may materially differ, still you must bear in mind that 
each occupied different positions, saw with different eves and 
that each has a different way and method of describing the 
event, still I am confident that each has been absolutely honest 
in his views and that events transpired as described. 

The object of the portraits is that the posterity that follows 
may see the likeness of those who in their country's peril, 
jeopardized their lives that it might live for ages to come and 
to familiarize the readers with those who have contributed to 
this work, not only as they looked when they were young men, 
defending their flag and country, but as they appear as honored 
citizens and men of matured years; while their Personal's are a 
true record of them not only as soldiers associated with one of 
the best Cavalry Regiments and Brigades in that great War, 
but also to leave a fitting and condensed biography and record 
of them as honored American citizens and to commemorate 
their memory forever. 

11 



INTRODUCTORY. 

THE MICHIGAN CAVALRY BRIGADE. 

(Custer's Cavalry.) 

No person or persons can write a history or even a partial 
sketch of the Seventh Michigan Cavalry without incorporating 
more or less history of each of the other Regiments that con- 
stituted the Michigan Brigade of Cavalry. It was organized 
and will ever be known in history as a Brigade, still it was 
more like a large Regiment. Almost invariably where one 
Regiment was, the balance of them were in the immediate 
vicinity; if one Regiment or more were on the skirmish line, 
or in a skirmish or battle, the balance of the Brigade was there 
as reserve to do and did their part when called upon. 

In compiling this Personal Facial History of the Seventh 
Michigan Cavalry it has not been the desire, aim, or intention 
to slight or forget the part the other Regiments of the Brigade 
took, but to simply incorporate the faces of some of the mem- 
bers of the old Seventh in bold relief and get an expression of 
personal experience in camp, on the march, or on the field of 
battle, allowing the members of all other Regiments full credit 
and recognition when circumstances develop and incidents 
warrant as is very often exemplified in the sketches herein. 

This famous Brigade of Cavalry was organized December 
12th, 1862, and was eventually composed of the First, Fifth, 
Sixth and Seventh Michigan Volunteer Cavalry Regiments. The 
First was organized at Detroit in August, 1861, leaving the Sta + e 
for the front September 29th, 1861, with 1,144 officers and 
enlisted men, but before the final mustering out of its organiza- 
tion at Salt Lake City, Utah Territory, in February, 1866, it 
mustered into its ranks a total of 3,244 men. 

Ill 



The Fifth was organized at Detroit in August, 1862, leav- 
ing the State December 4th, 1862, with 1,144 officers and men, 
but before the final mustering out of its organization in 1865 
it mustered into its ranks a total of 1,998 men. 

The Sixth was organized at Grand Rapids in October, 
1862, leaving the State December 10th, 1862, with 1,229 
officers and men, but before the final mustering out of its 
organization in 186,") it had mustered into its ranks a total of 
L,624 men. 

The Seventh was organized at Grand Rapids in December, 
1862, leaving the State February 22nd, 1863, as a Regiment 
of ten Companies, with 916 officers and men; while on July 8th, 
L863, two more Companies, '%" and "M," were added to it, 
composed of 178 officers and men, making it a full Regiment 
of twelve Companies, with 1,091 officers and men, but before its 
final muster out as an organization at Fort Leavenworth, Kan- 
sas, in December, 1865, it had mustered into its ranks 1,779 
men. 

As fast as the last three Regiments reached Washington 
and the front they were assigned to the Michigan Brigade, 
which was commanded by Brigadier General Copeland until 
June 29th, 1863, when he was succeeded by Brigadier General 
George A. Custer while the command was marching through 
Maryland on its way to a point which culminated in the Battle 
of Gettysburg. 

During that three days' fight this Brigade was continually 
on active duty, and the last day of the three days' fight was in 
one of the hardest Cavalry fights of the War, in opposing 
General J. E. B. Stuart's division of Cavalry commanded by 
Generals Wade Hampton and Fitzhugh Lee, the Seventh meet- 
ing them and crossing sabres in deadly combat, in which charge 
the Seventh sustained heavy losses, but with the assistance and 
support ot" the balance of the Brigade, more especially the First 
Michigan, the Rebels were driven back and victory won at 

IV 



great loss. The records show that this Brigade sustained the 
heaviest loss of any Cavalry Brigade in that three days' battle, 
as its losses were in killed, wounded and missing, 229 officers 
and men, and of this number the Seventh lost an even 100. 

During their term of service the four Regiments that con- 
stituted this Brigade, which, after the Battle of Gettysburg, 
was known as "Custer's Michigan Brigade," sustained losses 
as per records at the War Department in Washington, as 
follows : 



KILLED AND DIED OF WOUNDS. DIED OF DISEASE AND SICKNESS. 

Regiments. Officers. En. Men. Total. Officers. En. Men. Total. Gd. Total. 

First 14 150 164 6 244 250 414 

Fifth 6 135 141 3 222 225 366 

Sixth 7 128 135 •• 251 251 386 

Seventh 4 84 88 3 258 261 349 

Grand Totals. 31 497 528 12 975 987 1515 

While the Seventh did not lose as many officers and men 
as any one of the other Regiments of the Brigade, still when 
taking into consideration the date of their going' to the front 
and their term of service and number of men in the field, they 
must be granted honors as determined and brave soldiers, the 
equal of any other Regiment of the Brigade, more especially 
when their record of losses by capture is farther compared with 
losses sustained by the other Regiments in Southern Prisons, 
which is as follows : 

The First Michigan 56 

The Fifth Michigan 76 

The Sixth Michigan 98 

The Seventh Michigan 83* 

* 53 of whom died at Andersonville. 

Michigan, with a population of less than 750,000 inhabit- 
ants in 1860, furnished during the War the magnificent quota 
of 90,048 men as soldiers to help crush that stupendous Re- 
bellion, or over 12 per cent, of her entire population of men, 



women and children. The records of her enlistei men show 
that they were good soldiers, faithful and true, and who served 
their State and Country well ; still the War records show, and 
it is officially admitted, that the Custer Michigan Brigade of 
Cavalry sustained the highest percentage of loss of killed of 
any mounted Brigade in the service in the War of the Rebellion, 
where its record of killed was a total of 528 men. The Seventh 
Michigan Cavalry shows a percentage of killed and also a per- 
centage of killed, wounded and missing the equal of any Cav- 
alry Regiment in that war. 

Men of the Seventh, you should be proud of your record; 
and should be proud that you were members of so glori- 
ous a Regiment and Brigade, and your children and their 
children and the posterity that follows them, will always be 
proud of the record of the Seventh Michigan Cavalry and the 
Michigan Brigade. 

Compiler 




VI 



Battles. 



1 

*2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 

10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 



Hanover, Va June 30, 1863 

Gettysburg, Pa July 3, 1863 29 

Hagerstown, Md July 6, 1863 5 

Boonsboro, Md July 9, 1863 1 

Falling Waters, Md July 14, 1863 3 



Men Killed in Action 

None reported. 



(Culpeper, C. H., Va September 14, 1863...) 

I Robinson, River, Va October 8, 1863 J 

Brandy Station, Va October 11, 1863 1 

Buckland Mills, Va October 19, 1863 6 

Richmond, Va March 2, 1864 

Wilderness, Va May 6-7, 1864 '.... 

Yellow Tavern, Va May 10-11, 1864 9 

Haws Shop, Va May 28, 1864 2 

Coal Harbor, Va May 30, 1864 4 

Trevilian's Station, Va June 11-12, 1864 3 

Front Royal, Va August 16, 1864 

Winchester, Va September 19, 1864 8 

Whites Ford, Rapid River, Va.September 23, 1864 2 

Woodstock, Va October 9, 1864 

Cedar Creek, Va October 19, 1864 3 

Five Forks, Va Mar. 30-1, Apr. 1, 65, 1 

Duck Pond Mills, Va April 4, 1865 

Sailor's Creek, Va April 6, 1865 

Appomattox, C. H., Va April 8-9, 1865 

18 



None reported. 
None reported. 



None reported. 



None reported. 



None reported. 
None reported. 
None reported. 



Numerous small engagements 

*Men killed, wounded and missing, 100 



Total, 



97 



Co. 


Men 
Mustered 


Killed 


Died 
Sickness 
Wounds 


In 
Prison 


Miss- 
ing 


Total 


Average 

IvOSS. 


A 


143 


16 


13 


6 


5 


40 


28 per ct. 


B 


141 


9 


9 


7 


6 


31 


22 




C 


142 


7 


4 


12 




23 


16* ' 




D 


146 


14 


16 


8 




38 


26% « 




E 


156 


11 


15 


8 


3 


37 


23% « 




F 


145 


13 


16 


7 




36 


247^ ' 




G 


144 


6 


10 


1 


2 


19 


13* ' 




H 


153 


3 


14 


7 


4 


28 


i*X ' 




I 


171 


2 


16 


4 




22 


12% « 




K 


148 


7 


9 


8 




24 


16* ' 




L 


144 


2 


8 


18 




28 


19# ' 




M 


146 


7 


8 


8 




23 


15* ' 




Totals, 


1779 


97 


138 


94 


20 


349 


19J 1 - per ct. 



vii 




CUSTER'S 

MICHIGAN CAVALRY BRIGADE MONUMENT 

VIII 



GETTYSBURG, PA. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE MONUMENT. 

This Monument was erected by the grateful State of Michi 
gan in honor of the Michigan Brigade of Cavalry and its fallen 
dead who sacrificed their lives on the battlefield of Gettysburg, 
three miles east of the village of Gettysburg, Pa., on the Rum- 
mell farm, where the Brigade did its hardest fighting and the 
Seventh lost an even one hundred officers and men. 

The Monument complete from foundation to top is forty 
feet high, built upon a foundation eleven feet square. The 
principal shaft is fifteen feet high, composed of three bases, 
plinth, two pedestals and cap, the upper pedestal being four 
feet through at the top, on which rests four columns twelve 
feet high, representing the four Regiments that composed the 
Brigade, terminating in a capital representing horses' heads. 
Above the capital is a ledge five feet square upon which stands 
the form of a dismounted trooper, eight feet high. The whole 
presents tall and graceful proportions, and is composed of 
eighty tons of Barre and Hartwick granite. 

On the face of the third base appears the name of the Bri- 
gade, Division and Corps, on the plinth the name of the 
Brigade. 

On the lower pedestal is a bronze plate three by four feet, 
representing a Cavalry fight ; upon the face of the cap above is 
carved a wreath of oak and laurel ; upon the face of the second 
pedestal is a bronze medallion two feet across, showing the por- 
trait of General George A. Custer, while on one of the polished 
sides appears the Corps badge and Michigan coat of arms. 

Upon one of the polished sides of the lower pedestal appears 

the following inscription : 

"The Michigan Cavalry Brigade organized Dec. 12th. 1862." "The fame 
of the whole is not greater than any one." This monument marks the field 
where the Michigan Cavalry Brigade, under its gallant leader. General 
Geo. A. Custer, rendered signal and distinguished service in assisting to 
defeat the further advance of a numerically superior force under the 
Confederate general, J. E. B. Stuart, who, in conjunction with Pickett's 
charge upon the center, attempted to turn the right flank of the Union 
army at that critical hour of conflict upon the afternoon of July 3rd. 1863. 
Field held from 8 a. m. until 7 p. m. 

"But foremost in the fight you'll see, 
Where'er the bravest dare to be, 
The sabres of thy Cavalry, 

Michigan, my Michigan." 

IX 




Abraham Lincoln. 

16th President of the U. S. 

Son of Thomas and Nancy Hanks Lincoln, who were mar- 
ried in Washington County, Kentucky, June 12th, 1806 ; was 
born in Hardin, "Now Larue'' County, Kentucky, February 
L2th, L809. Family moved to Illinois in 1830. He was Cap- 
tain the Black Hawk War, 1832 ; appointed Postmaster at 
New Salem, Illinois, in 1833 ; surveyor and elected to Legis- 
lature in 1834; second election to Legislature 1836; licensed 
to practice law in Illinois in 1837, and third election to Leg- 
islature 1838; fourth election to Legislature and Presidential 
Elector on William H. Harrison ticket, 1840. Married to 
Mary Todd, November 4th, 1842. His son, Robert Todd Lin- 

10 



coin, was born August 1st, 1843. Elected to Congress 1846. 
Delegate to National Convention, Philadelphia, 1848; assisted 
in forming Republican Party in 1856. Joint debate with 
Stephen A. Douglas and defeated for United States Senate 
1858. Nominated and elected to the Presidency in 1S60. In- 
augurated March 4th, 1861. Issued Emancipation Proclama- 
tion in 18G3. Re-elected to the Presidency 1864. Inaugurated 
for the second time as President of the United States March 
1th, 1865. Assassinated by John Wilkes Booth April 14th, 
1865, and died April 15th. Remains were interred at Spring- 
field, Illinois, May 4th, 1865, where thev now rest. 




11 




Gexkral Ulysses S. Grant. 

18th President of the U. S. 

Son of Jesse and Hannah Simpson Grant, born April 27th, 
L822, at Mount Pleasant, Hamilton County, Ohio. Was 
named and christened Hyram Ulysses. Appointed to West 
Point, May. L839, where by a mistake he was registered as 
Ulysses S. Grant. Graduated from West Point June, 1844, 
and appointed Brev. Second Lieutenant and assigned to Fourth 
U. S. Infantry; stationed at Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, 
Missouri. Was with his command in Louisiana in 1846, and 
from there to Mexico with Generals Taylor and Scott through 
the Mexican War of 1846 and 1847. Breveted First Lieu- 
Pi 



tenant September 8th, 1847. For bravery was commissioned 
Brev. Captain, April, 1848. Married Miss Julia Dent, of St. 
Louis, Mo., in August, 1848. Promoted to Captaincy at Van- 
couver, Washington Territory, 1852. Resigned his position 
and commission in the Army April 20th, 1854. Re-entered the 
Army April, 1861. Promoted to Colonel of the 21st Illinois 
Infantry, June, 1861, commission to date from May 17th, 1861, 
Promoted to Brigadier General August, 1861. Captured Fort 
Henry, February 6th, 1862 ; Fort Donelson, February 16th, 
1862. Won the Battle of Shiloh, or Pittsburgh Landing, April 
Tth, 1862. Captured Vicksburg July 4th, 1863. Promoted 
to Major General July, 1863. Raised the siege of Chattanooga 
November 25th, 1863. Appointed Lieutenant General March 
9th, 1864, and in command of all our military forces, taking 
personal command of the Army of the Potomac against Gen- 
eral Lee. General Lee surrendered to him on April 9th, 1865, 
at Appomattox Court House, Va. In full command of the 
Army until elected President. Elected President in November, 
1868, and again in November, 1872. Made a trip around the 
world in 1879 and 1880. Died July 23rd, 1SS5. 



13 




General Phieip H. Sheridan, 

Dead. 

Born at Albany, N. Y., March 6th, 1831. Admitted to 
Military Academy from Ohio, July 1st, 1848; graduated June, 
1853, ranking No. 31 in a class of 52. Was appointed Brevet 
Second Lieutenant, 1st Infantry, U. S. A., July 1st, 1853; 
Second Lieutenant, 4th Infantry, U. S. A., November 22d, 
1854; First Lieutenant, 4th Infantry, U. S. A., March 1st, 
1801; Captain, 13th Infantry, U. S. A., May 14th, 1861; Col- 
onel, 2d Michigan Volunteer Cavalry. May 25th, 1862; Brig- 
adier General of Volunteers, July 1st, 1862; Major General of 
Volunteers, December 31st, 1862; Brigadier General, U. S. A., 
September 20th, 1864; Major General, U. S. A., November 
8th, 1864, for personal gallantry and military skill at the Battle 
of Cedar Creek, Va., October 19th, 1864; Lieutenant General, 
U. S. A., March 4th, 1800. Commander in Chief of U. S. 
Army in 1879. Died at Washington, D. C, August 5th, 1888. 

14 




Major General Hugh Judson Kilpatrick. 

Dead. 

Born at Deckerstown, N. J., January 14th, 1836. Admit- 
ted to West Point from New Jersey in 1856; graduated and 
commissioned as follows : Second Lieutenant, May 6th, 1861, 
1st Artillery, U. S. A. ; Captain of 5th New York Volunteers, 
May 9th, 1861. Was wounded at Big Bethel, Va., June 10th. 
Recovering, he was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the Second 
New York Cavalry and Colonel of the same in December, 1862. 
He took part with his Regiment in the campaign of the Army 
of the Potomac in 1862, and in the Stoneman Raid in the Spring 
of 1863, when he commanded a Brigade. 

He was made Brigade General, June, 1863, and took com- 
mand of the 3d Division of Cavalry Corps, Army of the Poto- 
mac, at Frederick, Md., and continued in command until ordered 
to report to General Sherman's army. February 25th to March 

15 



4th he made his famous raid with 5,000 Cavalry around Gen- 
eral Lee's entire army. Soon after the raid in 1864 he went 
to the army of General W. T. Sherman and was wounded at 
the Battle of Resaca, Ga. He was in command of General 
Sherman's Cavalry in the operations around Atlanta, and the 
March to the Sea. 

He was surprised by General Wade Hampton at Fayette- 
ville, N. C, March 7th, 1865, and lost all his artillery. Here, 
it is said, he escaped on foot in very unconventional attire, but 
managed to rally a sufficient number of his men while the 
enemy were plundering his camp to successfully retake all his 
artillery, which he promptly turned on the retreating foe, thus 
making their discomfiture complete. 

Breveted Brigadier General, March 13th, 1865, "for gal- 
lant and meritorious service at Fayetteville, N. C." 

Breveted Major General, March 13th, 1865, "for gallant 
and meritorious service during the campaign in the Carolinas/' 

He was appointed United States Minister to the Republic 
of Chili, November, 1865, and recalled in 1868, and was again 
appointed to the same place in 1881. He died December 4th, 
1881. 

Major General Hugh Judson Kilpatrick was one of the 
most accomplished and enterprising of the many brilliant Cav- 
alry officers developed during the Civil War. 



16 




General Geo. A. Custer, 

Dead. 
Born in Harrison Comity, Ohio, December 5th, 1839. 
Admitted to Military Academy from Ohio in 1857; graduated 
in 1861. Was appointed Second Lieutenant Second Cavalry, 
U. S. A., June 24th, 18G1 ; transferred to 5th Cavalry, U. S. A., 
August 3d, 1861; First Lieutenant, 5th Cavalry, U. S. A., 
July 17th, 1862 ; breveted Major, July 3d, 1863, for gallant and 
meritorious service at Gettysburg; Captain 5th Cavalry U. S. 
A., May 8th, 1864; breveted Lieutenant Colonel May 11th, 
1864, for gallant and meritorious service at Yellow Tavern, 
Va. ; breveted Colonel, September 19th, 1864, for gallant and 
meritorious service at Winchester, Va. ; breveted Brigadier 
General, March 13th, 1865, for gallant and meritorious service 
at Five Forks, Va. ; breveted Major General March 13th, 1865, 
for gallant and meritorious service during the campaign ending 
with the surrender of Lee's army of Northern Virginia; Lieu- 
tenant Colonel, 7th Cavalry, U. S. A., July 28th, 1866. Killed 
June 25th, 1876, in battle with Indians at Little Big Horn, 
Montana Territory. 

17 



FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS 

OF THE 

Seventh Michigan Cavalry 
1862-1865 



Col. Wm. D. Mann, 208 Fifth Ave., New York City 

Col. A. C. Litchfield, Oakmont, Pennsylvania. 

Col. Geo. G. Briggs, Grand Rapids, Mich. 

Lieut. Col. Daniel H. Darling, Joliet, 111. 

Major Geo. K. Newcomb, Traverse City, Mich. 

Major John S. Huston, Williamston, Mich. 

Major Linus F. Warner, Almena, Kan. 

Major Robert Sproul, Saginaw, E. S., Mich. 

Major James L. Carpenter, Blissfleld, Mich. 

Adjutant Duane Doty, Pullman, 111. 

Adjutant Charles O. Pratt, Detroit, Mich. 

Surgeon, Geo. R. Richards, Detroit, Mich. 

Assistant Surgeon Marion A. Shafer, Grand Rapids, Mich. 

Chaplain Charles P. Nash, Holly, Mich. 

Quartermaster Farnham Lyon, Saginaw, E. S., Mich. 

Quartermaster Daniel McNaughton, Grand Rapids, Mich. 

Commissary James W. Bentley, Hastings, Mich. 

Quartermaster Sergeant Wm. W. Brown, Stevensville, Mich. 

Commissary Sergeant Henry DeGraff, Toledo, Ohio. 

Hospital Steward, A. H. Weston, Grandville, Mich. 

Sergeant Major, Wm. Jackson, Saginaw, E. S., Mich. 



19 




1863 

Colonel W. D. Mann 

20 




1893 

Colonel W. D. Mann 



21 



William D. Mann, 

Colonel 7th Michigan Cavalry. 
208 Fifth Ave., New York, N. Y. 

Born at Sandusky, Ohio, September 27th, 1839; enlisted 
at Detroit, Mich., August 22d, 1861, as Captain in 1st Michi- 
gan Cavalry; promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, 5th Michigan 
Cavalry, at Detroit, Mich., August 14th, 1862, and Colonel 
7th Michigan Cavalry, November 1st, 1862. Resigned March 
1st, 1864, and honorably discharged. 

ORGANIZATION OF THE SEVENTH MICHIGAN CAVALRY. 
By Col. W. D. Mann. 

It may be interesting to the veterans of the Seventh Michi- 
gan Cavalry to learn from me the peculiar circumstances which 
brought it about that I should have had the honor of command- 
ing that notably gallant and efficient body of men. It will be 
recalled by you that the Regiment which became the Fifth 
Michigan Cavalry was originally enlisted and organized as the 
First U. S. Mounted Rifles, under an order obtained by me 
from the Secretary of War. At that time, as you know, I was 
a young man, not a resident of Michigan, although serving as 
Captain in the First Michigan Cavalry, which I had entered 
at its formation under Colonel Brodhead the year previous, I 
desired to secure influence with Governor Blair to induce him 
to allow me to recruit the Regiment in Michigan. 

At that time Lieutenant-Colonel Copeland, of the First 
Michigan Cavalry, who had been an eminent judge on the 
Michigan bench and had resigned his judgeship to go to war, 
was in great favor with Governor Blair. I therefore requested 
Colonel Copeland to accept the Colonelcy of my new Regiment, 
though leaving its command and organization entirely to me. 
By this means I secured authority to go to Detroit and organize 
the Mounted Rifle Regiment and a Battery of Horse Artillery. 
In eight days from the time I arrived in Detroit I had mus- 

22 



fered in both organizations, full to the last man allowed by law. 
Hard work and close attention to drills and discipline in a few 
weeks made a magnificent command of these men. In the 
meantime Colonel Copeland had remained in Washington, seek- 
ing to secure a Brigadiership ( he never for one moment taking 
command of the Mounted Rifles Regiment). 

About the time he was nominated for Brigadier, but before 
his confirmation, Governor Blair, having his headquarters at 
the old Michigan Exchange, sent for me and informed me that 
there were two* Regiments in process of enlistment and organ- 
ization at Grand Rapids, and that he had notified the Secretary 
of War that the Mounted Rifles Regiment would have to be 
known as the Fifth Michigan Cavalry and apply on the State's 
quota. He said that while one Regiment, the Sixth Cavalry, 
was full, the Seventh Regiment, he thought, was lagging, and 
that as I had been so successful in making a fine command of 
the Fifth, he would like to promote and appoint me Colonel 
of the Sixth. I told him I liked my Regiment, that they knew 
nobody but me as Commander, and that probably in a few days 
there would be a vacancy when I could become Colonel of that 
Regiment. He then said it was not only my success in getting 
the men together that had attracted his notice, but from his own 
observation and from what everyone said, the drilling and 
discipline of the Fifth Cavalry was such that he felt I was more 
competent than anybody else available to go to Grand Rapids 
and get those two Regiments into shape, and he appealed to- me 
to waive my personal feeling and accept the Colonelcy of the 
Sixth. I may remark in passing that Major Freeman Norvell, 
the Senior Major of the Fifth Michigan Cavalry, was a very 
intimate friend of mine, of whom I was more than ordinarily 
fond. It occurred to me that if Copeland was soon made a 
Brigadier and I was made Colonel of the Sixth, Major Norvell 
would at once jump into the Colonelcy of the Fifth, which pro- 
motion would be very gratifying to me. I mentioned this to 
Governor Blair, and he promised me that he would appoint 

23 



Norvell Colonel of the Fifth if matters turned out as I sug- 
gested. I then accepted the Colonelcy of the Sixth. 

The next day, when the news reached Grand Rapids of my 
appointment to the Sixth, a delegation, headed by Mr. Frank 
W. Kellogg, member of Congress from that district, having 
among its members the distinguished Judge Withey of the 
United States District Court of Michigan, and others, came 
post haste to Detroit to see the Governor and to protest against 
my appointment to the Sixth, and demanded the appointment 
of Mr. George Gray, a prominent lawyer of Grand Rapids, 
who was anxious to go to war. Governor Blair sent to the 
camp for me, and on my reaching his rooms at the Michigan 
Exchange, I found this delegation in a great state of agitation. 
They very bluntly and plainly said that Lieutenant-Colonel 
Mann might be a good sort of a fellow, possibly a good soldier 
and a competent commander, but he was not a Michigan man, 
nor a Grand Rapids man, and as they were raising the Regi- 
ment there and as the order for the Regiment had been ob- 
tained by Mr. Kellogg, M. C, they would not tolerate Colonel 
Mann's appointment to the Colonelcy of the Sixth. Mr. Kel- 
logg appealed to me in the strongest terms, assuring me that I 
would get the cold shoulder on all sides if I went to Grand 
Rapids as Colonel of the Sixth, as Mr. Gray was a most popular 
man, and he, Kellogg, would be greatly pleased if I would 
accept the Colonelcy of the Seventh, thereby leaving the Gov- 
ernor at liberty to appoint Gray to the Sixth. Mr. Kellogg 
asserted that the Seventh Regiment then had one thousand men 
and that it would be filled in a few days. Some two hours were 
passed in discussion' of the matter, the Governor all the time 
quietly maintaining that he wished Colonel Mann to organize 
those Cavalry Regiments at Grand Rapids and that he had ap- 
pointed him Colonel of the Sixth, and that he would maintain 
that appointment unless he voluntarily relinquished it. 

It had been one of my pet schemes in planning the First 
Mounted Rifles, or the Fifth Cavalry, to have a horse batterv 

24 



Connected with it, and to have the men of the Regiment very 
lightly equipped and armed with repeating rifles, making them 
with the battery a great force for raidng. I expressed these 
views, and Mr. Kellogg suggested that the Governor should 
authorize another horse battery to be raised at Grand Rapids 
in connection with the Seventh Cavalry. He also suggested 
that Colonel Gray should not be mustered in until after I was, 
thus making me the ranking officer of the camp at Grand 
Rapids. Boy as I then was, somewhat diffident of my own 
ability and impreessed by the age, character and position of 
the men surrounding me,I, in what I sometimes thought after- 
wards was a foolish moment, assented to the arrangement and 
accepted the Colonelcy of the Seventh with the authority to 
raise a horse battery. 

The delegation returned to Grand Rapids happy, and an- 
nounced what they had accomplished. Grand Rapids was 
pleased, and when I arrived there with my commission as 
Colonel of the Seventh I was cordially received by the people 
and by the 237 men who, in batches and patches, formed the 
so-called Seventh Cavalry. In the meantime Copeland had 
been made a Brigadier, and Norvell, Colonel of the Fifth. 
Comrades, I now frankly say to you, "some of you having been 
present and among those 237," that when I learned the exact 
condition of the Seventh I passed a sleepless night, that, my 
first night, in Grand Rapids, and I saw plainly that in a day 
or two Colonel Gray would be mustered in as Colonel of the 
Sixth long before it would be possible for me to be mustered as 
Colonel of the Seventh. My first impulse was to throw up my 
commission and retire from the service. Somehow my ambi- 
tion, tastes, nervous energy, or patriotism, whatever it may 
have been, would not allow this view to prevail. Still, I assure 
you, I was very downcast. However, the next day I determ- 
ined to go to work, trusting to the same luck that had given me 
the Fifth Regiment so quickly to fill up the Seventh, determin- 
ing to make it as good as the Fifth or Sixth, and if possible 

better. 

25 



Some of you know our struggles and efforts and remember 
them well. I went to Detroit and arranged with Captain 
Gunther to organize a German Horse Battery. I also hired at 
my own expense a brass band. I did all the work with the 
press I could, and made all the noise possible to get you boys 
together. Two great magnificent Regiments, the Fifth and 
Sixth, had just been picked from the youth of the State, which 
had been a good deal of a drain on its resources. Michigan 
was not as large in population as it is now, so I found men 
scarce, and it was not until February, 1863, that enough 
of you had been gathered to the flag of the Seventh to enable 
me to be mustered as Colonel. 

During all of that time I served without pay and paid my 
own expenses. By the way, the Government has never paid 
me yet for that service and I presume never will. I forgave it, 
because I got reward enough in the splendid record that you,, 
my boys, made when you were strong enough to take the field. 
To have commanded the Seventh Michigan Cavalry in that 
great campaign of '63, covering their memorable fight at Get- 
tysburg, was such an honor that I forgot, and have ever for- 
gotten and forgiven, the misrepresentations and the peculiar 
circumstances that brought to me the distinction of being your 
Colonel and Commander. There were plenty of good troops 
from Michigan, there were plenty of good troops from all 
parts of the Union. There were none better, there were none 
quite as good, none presenting quite as many examples of per- 
sonal courage, of devotion to the cause, and loyalty to their 
C< immander, as the Seventh Michigan Cavalry. That so many 
of you are alive at this day, and that I am permitted to meet 
with you from time to time and to receive from you so many 
expressions of kindly regard and the affection of comradeship, 
is a grand compensation for whatever disappointments I may 
at one time have suffered. Long life to all of you, and let our 
good fellowship continue while there are two members of the 
glorious Seventh left to meet together. 

26 




1864. 



1880. 



Colonel A. C. Litchfield, 

Oakmont, Pa. 

Born July 15th, 1835, at Hingham, Plymouth County, 
Mass. ; enlisted at Georgetown, Ottawa County, Mich., August 
14th, 1862, as Captain in Co. "B," 5th Michigan Cavalry; was 
promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, 7th Michigan Cavalry, 
November 14th, 1862 ; commissioned Colonel March 20th, 
1864, and mustered as Colonel to date May 15th, 1865. Horse 
killed at Gettysburg, and falling on me severely jammed me, but 
not so as to prevent my continuing on duty with the Regiment. 
Was taken prisoner on Kilpatrick's Raid at Atlee Station on 
railroad, about seven miles from Richmond, March 1st, 1864, 
and was in close confinement with five other officers and four 

27 



colored soldiers until July 15th, 1864. For the last six weeks 
of this time we were put on one-third of a prison ration; was 
then sent to Macon, Ga., from thence to Charleston, S. C, 
thence to Columbia, S. C, where for five and a half months we 
received no meat whatever; was paroled for exchange March 
1st, 1865. Brevet Brigadier General United States Volunteers 
March 3d, ISO 5, for gallant and meritorious service. Mustered 
out as Lieutenant Colonel May 21st, 1865 ; mustered as Colonel 
May 22d, 1865, and mustered out as Colonel May 26th, 1865. 

BATTLE NEAR RICHMOND, MARCH 1, 1864. 
By Gen. A. C. Litchfield. 

"The fight of our Regiment with the 1st and 2nd North 
Carolina Cavalry under command of General Wade Hampton 
on the Kilpatrick-Dahlgren Raid on Richmond :" 

Not till the morning of the third day's march through rain 
and mud were we aware of the intended destination of General 
Kilpatrick and his four thousand picked men, of which force 
the 7th Michigan Cavalry numbered three hundred and 
twenty, having left for picket duty along the Rapidan River 
near Stevensburg all such men as were unfit for the march, 
and had barely sufficient in number to keep up our outposts. 

About eleven o'clock of the morning of March 1st, 1864, 
Quartermaster Farnham Lyon, acting on General Kilpatrick' s 
Staff, rode back to me and said, "Colonel, we are going into 
Richmond sure. We have with us a Captain who was in 
Richmond last week, who says there are no troops there and 
our only trouble will be with the fortifications manned only 
by Government Clerks and book-keepers." Of course all 
weariness left me at once and I looked forward with exultant 
hope to the hour when the final and successful rush should be 
made, which would make us masters of the situation and put 
Richmond at our disposal. "But there's many a slip between 
cup and lip," and slip did we, but not before putting up a stiff 

» 28 



fight with General Wade Hampton and a superior force of 
the flower of the Rebel Cavalry. Our hopes were bright until 
after we had captured the outer picket lines and tested the 
strength of Richmond's fortifications and the valor of the 
men who defended them. 

I should say it was between two and three o'clock p. m. 
when we passed the outer picket line by Brook's Turnpike and 
took up our position under the guns of the inner fortifications ; 
our Regiment was in position along this pike, in the rear of the 
command and facing towards its right flank. My orders were 
to defend that flank and upon approach of the Rebel Cavalry 
to hold them in check and burn the bridge over which we had 
just passed. A short skirmish seemed to cause General Kil- 
patrick to decide that it was useless to attempt to force his 
way into the city, for as he passed on his way back he said to 
me, "They have too many of those d — d guns; they keep 
opening new ones on us all the time;" so we retreated across 
the Meadow bridge. The Rebels, emboldened by our move- 
ment to the rear, followed and kept up a sharp fire on us from 
the neighboring hilltops. About dark we went into camp 
near Atlees Station, where our first fight subsequently took 
place. As was too frequently the case with General Kilpatrick 
we went into camp for the night and unfortunately he did not 
put out a regular picket line, only picketed the roads with 
small picket reserves. My orders were, ''Have your men 
make fires, get coffee, and make themselves comfortable and 
put a picket of ten men at the railroad crossing." This picket 
Wade Hampton's advance struck about nine o'clock that 
evening; shortly after one of the pickets reported to me that 
one of our horses had been shot and our pickets were ex- 
changing shots with the enemy. Almost at the same time, I 
should judge about thirty Rebels opened fire into our camp 
from just outside, showing plainly that General Hampton had 
taken advantage of Kilpatrick's oversight and directed his 
force to flank our picket and reconnoitre our position. I pre- 

29 



sume they exceeded their orders by firing, for had they re- 
ported without firing Hampton could easily have captured 
our entire Regiment and many from other Regiments. Per- 
haps not more than one hundred shots were fired before they 
withdrew. When this firing began my headquarters were at 
a farm house just across the road. I immediately went into 
camp and found considerable confusion, as is always the case 
with the best of soldiers when suddenly awakened in the dark 
by a rapid fire right in their midst. This was the first sleep 
we had had of the sixty hours on a rough and cheerless march 
in mud and rain. The ceasing of hostilities on the part of the 
Rebels enabled me to restore order without difficulty. I then 
assembled the men along the road in front of camp and told 
them we had probably heard the last of it, as I judged we had 
been bushwhacked by the same men that had followed us out 
from Richmond in the afternoon, but if it should prove other- 
wise I told them we could hold our own against a superior 
force by firing from behind the trees and being careful not to 
get between the enemy and our camp fires, which were still 
bright enough to reveal our position distinctly. I then or- 
dered Captain Sproul to deploy his Company and proceed 
through the woods on both sides of the road about eighty rods. 
halt and remain as a skirmish line till he heard from me. I 
also sent Lieutenant Ingersoll with 20 men across a cleared 
field in front of camp with the same orders that our flank 
might be protected. I then went to Colonel Sawyer's head- 
quarters and reported what had happened and asked for in- 
structions, intimating at the same time that I did not think we 
were properly picketed. Captain Hall, who was acting as 
Colonel Sawyer's Chief of Staff, said I could double the force 
at the railroad crossing if I saw fit. Ten men as a picket 
being more than enough, an increase would not help matters, 
but really make them worse; so, turning away, I said with 
some impatience, "I shall put a dismounted picket around my 
Regiment." 

30 



Returning to camp, I sent for Lieutenant Holmes, Acting 
Adjutant, that I might instruct him to establish such a picket, 
but before he reported Hampton opened with two guns and a 
dismounted force of his men attacked Captain Sproul and his 
men vigorously with a Rebel yell. I could hear Sproul politely 
request the Rebels to cease firing and make vigorous and sun- 
dry threats of immediate annihilation if they did not. Then 
he would hurrah and encourage his brave men to lick h — 1 out 
of the blank, blank Rebels, and so they would had the men 
guarding our flank been half as well commanded. Just at a 
critical moment they gave way and Sproul being flanked was 
compelled to give up his brave and determined fight and seek 
safety in retreat. Then "there was mounting in haste" and 

the Rebel yell, "Git, you Yankees." About this time 

Sergeant Mead came to me badly shot through the shoulder, 
and I sent him to the rear. The fire was then rapid on our 
flank, but had ceased, or nearly so, on our front, which re- 
vealed the gravity of our position. I turned to Orderly Mor- 
row and taking his horse by the bridle told him to put for the 
rear. My horse had broken loose when the first shell passed 
over, which was not more than two feet above him. Mean- 
time I had directed Sergeant Carver to find Colonel Sawyer 
and tell him distinctly that I could hold my men in check but 
a few moments longer. I then hastened across the road to 
get men to strengthen our flank, but was confronted by six or 
eight Rebels, who called out as I approached, "Don't shoot, 
we are Rebels." I determined not to shoot, knowing that if I 
could manage to pass them and get into the edge of the woods 
I could easily escape capture, but at the same time intending 
if suspected of being a "Yankee" to put on the best Southern 
tone I could command and encourage them to chase the 
Yankees until I could make good my escape. But "The best 
laid plans of mice and men oft gang aglee," for I still con- 
tinued directly toward them, varying my course just enough 

81 



to carry me past them. Ten feet beyond them in the dark 
fringe of the woods I could have mounted safely and effected 
my escape when I was challenged by a fellow who seemed to 
have concluded that I was a Yank, my nice little plan left me 
in a moment and, as if by intuition, my thoughts reverted to 
the astrakhan fur on my overcoat collar and cuffs as being 
what helped him to identify me as a stranger, otherwise it would 
have been impossible for the slate colored overcoats of the 
North Carolina Cavalry and our light blue to be told apart on 
that dark night. Discretion being the better part of valor, T 
gracefully surrendered and was proudly taken and introduced 
to General Hampton, and one of the most stubborn little fights 
our Regiment was ever in was over. 

We had fought from twenty to thirty minutes in a driz- 
zling rain, mixed with snow, against two Regiments of Cav- 
alry under one of the bravest Southern Generals. If General 
Custer had commanded our noble Brigade he would have led 
us to a speedy and brilliant victory, but alas ! instead thereof 
I was left with one small Regiment of three hundred and 
twenty men to fight it out all alone. General Kilpatrick was 
justly criticised for allowing Hampton with perhaps not over 
five hundred men to put him to rout with his four thousand 
as good men as ever drew sabre. But the defeat was invited 
when Kilpatrick gave orders for the men to build fires, and 
then go to sleep beside them, with them as lighthouses to 
direct the course of the enemy whom he knew to be pushing a 
vigorous pursuit, for I had received orders from him about 
noon of the same day to be ready to form a line of battle in 
the road at any moment as General Wade Hampton was pur- 
suing us by a parallel road and was liable to attack our flank 
at almost any moment. 

Years afterwards, when a reconstructed Hampton occu- 
pied a seat in the Senate of this glorious Union restored, I 
sent my card to him and we had a pleasant chat over the 

32 



matter. Among other things Hampton said, "I had no idea of 
fighting that night, but the thing looked so pretty and inviting 
I thought I would give the boys some fun." I reminded him 
that had Custer been with us we would have made it lively for 
him, when he quickly replied, "He would have made it more 
than lively." 

Two gallant soldiers deserve special mention; noisy but 
invincible Sproul and gallant Sergeant Carver, who, some 
time after the fight was over, not being able to find me, 
started back as though determined to reach me or die in the 
attempt, and would not heed the advice of comrades to turn 
back, but was reluctantly forced to do so when he ran into a 
squad of the enemy and drew their fire. I never saw the brave 
boy again alive. I was terribly shocked when in prison at 
Charleston, S. C, to read in the New York Times the account 
of his death in the Battle of Front Royal, Va., the following 
August, from which place I tenderly removed his sacred re- 
mains to the village church-yard of his native town. All 
honor to all the brave boys who so stoutly contended in 
battle with a largely superior force of the very flower of 
Southern Cavalry, commanded by one of the most famous 
leaders of modern times on that black and stormy night in 
snow and rain. 

Our pickets should be mentioned as watchers who did 
faithful service and guarded their posts well. I spent that 
night with a poor sufferer from the Southland, who told me 
he was shot through the lower bowels by one of our pickets in 
their first attack. 



33 




1865. 



1895. 



Colonel Geo. G. Briggs, 

Grand Rapids. Mich. 

Born at Livonia, Wayne County, Mich., January 24th, 
1838; enlisted at Battle Creek, Calhoun County, Mich., Octo- 
ber 15th, L862, as First Lieutenant in Co. "A," 7th Michigan 
Cavalry; was promoted to First Lieutenant and Adjutant, 
July 1st, 1863; to Captain, March 22d, 1864; to Major, May 
L9th, 1864; to Lieutenant Colonel, October 12th, 1864, and 
to Colonel, May 26th, 1865. Was taken prisoner at Buck- 
land Mills October 19th, 1863; escaped from the enemy just 
before daylight on the morning of the 20th, joining the Union 
\<>rcv> at Harper's Perry; was live days within the enemy's 
lines; was wounded in left leg at Five Forks, Va., April 1st, 
L865; was mustered out at Salt Lake City, Utah, December 
4tii, L865, and honorably discharged. 

34 



BATTLE OF BRANDY STATION. 

By Col. George G. Briggs. 

Address at the annual reunion of the 7th, October 11th, 1901. 

The event occurred on the 11th clay of October, 1863. 

The name, "Brandy Station," suggests refreshments and 
hospitality, but, upon the occasion referred to the hosts, in 
trying to make our stay permanent, violated the usages of war 
as understood by the Union Cavalry, and, as a result, the 
grand reception planned for our entertainment broke up in a 
row. Our friends, the Confederates, took to the woods, while 
the faces of our Michigan boys were flushed with the excite- 
ment of victory and the exhilarating effects of a new bever- 
age which, in honor of the place, we then and there christened 
a "Brandy Smash." 

The engagement at Brandy Station did not rise to the 
dignity of a great battle, but it is especially remembered by 
the survivors of the Michigan Cavalry Brigade from the fact 
that, at this place, the command found itself cut off and com- 
pletely surrounded by a vastly superior force of the enemy's 
Infantry, Cavalry and Artillery; that in the face of such 
seemingly insurmountable obstacles the command cut its way 
through this cordon of foes by a charge that scattered the op- 
posing forces in front and opened a passage of safety to our 
friends on the opposite side of the Rappahannock. 

It is difficult for one "war relic" to interest other "war 
relics" in a narrative of army events that transpired nearly 
forty years ago. If the effort to do so is made, the date is 
about the only thing not in dispute. The event itself takes its 
color from personal experiences, and so the story varies ac- 
cording to the position occupied and the experiences of the 
individual factor. To illustrate : My memory of events pre- 
ceding, leading up to and including Brandy Station, recalls a 
day of interminable length, filled with hard work and great 
anxiety, and unrelieved by any cheer or enthusiasm until 

35 



that final charge, which opened a way to friends and safet\ 
for our weary troops. What recollections are brought to the 
mind of those who were present at this engagement, by the 
mention of its name, I cannot say, but I am quite sure no two 
would fully agree in a story of the day's trials and incidents. 

Brandy Station was an event in the experience of the 
Michigan Cavalry Brigade resulting from the retirement of 
the Army of the Potomac from its position on the Rapidan 
River and, at the time, there were those who felt at liberty to 
severely criticise General Meade for the manner in which the 
retreat was conducted. One thing is certain: from the 8th of 
October, when the army commenced its retrograde movement, 
until the 11th, when the last of its forces had crossed the 
Rappahannock, he left his Cavalry unsupported to confront 
and hold in check the pursuing columns of the enemy, and it 
was due to the exercise of high soldierly qualities on the part 
of our troopers that very serious losses were not sustained. 

The day that culminated with Brandy Station can be 
briefly described. Early on the morning of October llth ; 
1863, the Brigade left the vicinity of James City and reached 
Culpeper without molestation by the enemy. From Culpe- 
per, until the command reached Brandy Station, its rear guard 
was continuously and arduously employed in resisting the at- 
tacks of an enemy that appeared to grow bolder and more 
numerous every hour. The delicate and difficult duty of pro- 
tecting the rear of the Brigade was performed by the 7th 
Michigan Cavalry, under the immediate command of Colonel 
W. D. Mann. 

To unflinchingly face and hold in check the advancing 
enemy until the receding column of your comrades is out of 
sight; to then break to the rear a short distance and again 
face about to meet an on-coming and confident foe, is a duty 
that only brave and well disciplined troops can properly per- 
form. Breaking to the rear only to repeatedly face about in 

36 



a new position, which must be held as long as safety will per- 
mit, is one of the most trying services that a soldier is called 
upon to perform. 

Several times during that long and trying day I conveyed 
the compliments of Colonel Mann to General Custer, reporting 
the Regiment hard pressed ; that the enemy appeared to be in- 
creasing in number, and that assistance was needed. To these 
reports the same message was invariably returned, viz. : "Tell 
Colonel Mann he must continue to hold the enemy in check; 
when forced to retire to do so slowly." 

For a time we had the companionship, as well as the moral 
and physical support, of two of Pennington's guns, but as the 
day wore on, and the situation grew more critical and threat- 
ening, these friends with a voice of thunder and a tongue of 
fire sought a place of greater safety in rejoining their com- 
panion pieces at the head of the Brigade. 

It is but fair to say that at the time the Brigade arrived at 
Brandy Station its rear guard had been forced well in upon 
the main body of the command. The events of the next hour 
proved that our foes had forced us into the right position, as 
we were thus enabled to promptly join the charging column 
which drove the enemy from our front. 

The situation just prior to this final charge is thus de- 
scribed in the following extract taken from General Custer's 
official report. He says : 

"When it is remembered that my rear guard was hotly en- 
gaged with a superior force, a heavy column enveloping each 
flank, and my advance confronted by more than double my own 
number, the peril of my situation can be estimated." 

As eye witnesses we can testify that this report no more 
than gives a simple statement of the facts. 

It is only necessary to add that for us Brandy Station 
passed into history soon after the Brigade band struck up the 
inspiring air of "Yankee Doodle," and when, with flashing 

37 



sabres, two thousand cheering men went forward in a determ- 
ined rush for a foe that did not wait their coming, but who 
broke and fled from the field. 

An incident that occurred at Brandy Station will illustrate 
the general character of the Michigan trooper. It will also 
serve to show his self possession and dry humor under very 
trying circumstances. Just before the final charge a shell from 
the enemy's battery on the right struck and killed a horse and 
threw its rider to the ground. Happening to be near the pros- 
trate soldier I stopped to ascertain if the man was fatally in- 
jured, when, to my surprise, he jumped to his feet, looked at 
me an instant, and then exclaimed : "For God's sake, General, 
let's all re-enlist." 

I laughingly assented to the proposition, at the same time 
telling my plucky "boy in blue" that if he ever expected to 
avail himself of the services of a Union mustering officer he 
better be making tracks in the direction taken by our then 
moving squadrons. He promptly acted upon the suggestion 
and I trust he is to-night a happy and prosperous citizen of this 
glorious Union which he fought to preserve. 

I feel a pardonable pride in the incident just related, be- 
cause it was upon this occasion, and the only time during my 
army life, that any one ever called me General. I have long 
since forgiven the mistake as, at the time it was made, every 
trooper in the command appeared to me to be entitled to the 
same rank that I had so unexpectedly received. 

The salvation of the Michigan Cavalry Brigade from cap- 
ture or destruction at Brandy Station was little less than a 
miracle. That it was saved for its subsequent career of bril- 
liant services was due to its fighting qualities, its confidence 
in the leadership of the beloved Custer, and the failure of the 
enemy to take advantage of a great opportunity. 

The day was well over when the last grasp of the enemy 
was shaken off. Soon after night set in, and without further 

38 



molestation we reached and crossed the Rappahannock. Here 
the fires of a great army, comfortable in camp, met our view, 
and I said to myself : 

"The Commander of all these Corps and Divisions of men 
must be indifferent to the fate of his Cavalry, otherwise it 
would not be left unsupported, as at Brandy Station, to con- 
tend with a numerically superior force of the enemy, com- 
posed of Infantry, Cavalry and Artillery, and which for a time 
threatened its capture or annihilation." 

Exhausted nature sent us to our blankets and we slept that 
night with thankful hearts that one more day of our "three 
years, or during the war," was over. 

In thus taking leave of the Command I bid it an affection- 
ate good-night, and to you, its survivors, I extend the greeting 
of a cordial good morning. 




39 



THE FLAG OF TRUCE. 
(From Burr's Life and Deeds of Gen. Grant, Page 761, Chapter 56. 

The night of the 8th of April, 1865, closed upon a day of 
hard work and exciting- events. By a forced and rapid march, 
Sheridan's Cavalry, with Custer in the van, had placed itself 
in front of the retreating Confederate army, and by stubborn 
fighting until after dark had forced back upon the main body 
that portion of its advanced guard not captured. The night 
passed amid distant sounds of preparation for an early renewal 
of hostilities on the morrow and the hurried march of Ord's, 
Griffin's and Gibbon's Infantry to support the troopers, which 
had gone around the enemy. 

The Tth Michigan Cavalry, well in advance, was, like the 
rest of the mounted men, held in readiness for instant service, 
and Colonel George G. Briggs, its gallant commander, here 
takes up the narrative of the surrender as he saw it ; 

"In open order of column by squadrons we stood to horse 
all night. The long hours were passed in silence, as neither 
lights nor fires were permitted. The deep shadows of the 
woods in which we were posted and the chilly air of early 
Spring that settled around and over us, were not calculated to 
inspire a sense of comfort or contentment; so amid the gloom 
we thought of the morrow and the chances of battle. The 
gray of morning was just giving place to the stronger light of 
full day when orders came to move forward at once. Only a 
short distance to the west, and almost directly in front of our 
former position, a line of the enemy's skirmishers was seen 
advancing. My command at once deployed and was soon hotly 
engaged. Under the steady and rapid firing of our 'Spencers' 
the advance of the enemy was checked, held for a time, and then 
forced slowly back. 

"While the engagement was in progress I rode to the top 
of a slight eminence to the front and right of my line, and from 
this elevation I was enabled to see what I took to be the entire 

40 



Confederate army. It was going into position in a sort of val- 
ley with higher land upon either side. There seemed to be 
great confusion in their midst. Squads of men were running 
in various directions, and artillery, foot, and horse appeared 
badly mixed up in their effort to form a line of battle. 

"The scene thus presented was alike startling and sugges- 
tive. Scattered over the plain and along the inner sides of the 
bordering elevation was the army of Lee, cut off from further 
retreat and hurrying its preparations for defence. Its advance 
seemed to have been suddenly arrested, and recoiling from dan- 
ger in front, was moving in masses rather than by well-defined 
lines or column to different portions of the field. 

"At this sight of the enemy, in apparent confusion and 
without the necessary formations to repel an attack, I instinct- 
ively took off my hat and waved it above my head in exultation 
over the discovery. Here w r as the opportunity for delivering 
a crushing and final blow to the war, and I exclaimed aloud, 
'Oh, for Sheridan and his Cavalry now !' 

"Turning to observe the progress of my own command, I 
saw to my left and rear, as if in answer to my wish. General 
Custer's approaching column. Knowing the General well, I 
rode with all speed to join him, and hurriedly informed him of 
what I had seen, and the splendid opportunity for a charge 
that at the moment presented itself. 

"Turning to his staff, he gave, in his quick, nervous way, 
orders to have the command closed up and pushed forward 
with all possible haste. Away dashed the officers with these 
orders to his brigade commanders and at the same time 
he said to me : 

" 'Show me the way.' 

"Custer's command on this occasion presented a most strik- 
ing and beautiful effect in color, as also in concentrated power 
for action. Following the General and his staff, and thrown to 
the morning breeze, floated not less than twenty-five rebel 

41 



battle-flags captured from the enemy within ten days. These, 
with division, brigade, and regimental colors of the command, 
the red neckties of the men, and the blue and yellow of their 
uniforms, made a picture — as with flashing sabers they moved 
into view — at once thrilling and beautiful. 

"By this time the rapidly advancing column had reached a 
point from which its approach could be seen by the enemy, 
and while preparations were being made to send forward a dis- 
mounted party to let down some fences, a battery of the enemy 
opened fire, but the shells passed over without damage. 

"Custer, from a hasty glance of the enemy's position, evi- 
dently thought a better point of attack could be had by the 
flank and farther on. Therefore he changed direction and 
moved to the right — a movement that soon hid his forces from 
the enemy and carried them by a road or opening through a 
piece of woods. 

"When I first met General Custer at the head of his division, 
I had said to him : 

' 'General, if you charge the enemy I want to go in with 
you.' To which he replied, 'All right.' 

"That he would soon strike a favorable point for such a 
charge I felt confident, and as he moved away I rode back to 
my regiment, which was still exchanging shots with the enemy. 

"As my command was deployed and engaged, it could not be 
used to join a charge, which I felt certain would soon be made. 
I gave it in command of the next officer in rank, and rode rap- 
idly away to join Custer. Before I reached him there sud- 
denly emerged out of a piece of woods three or four horsemen, 
the leader of whom was waving a white object over his head. 
This was the famous flag of truce by which the desire of Gen- 
eral Lee to surrender was first communicated to the Union 
forces, and by me it was first seen. 

"This flag, which terminated the Civil War, was a common 
towel, and is now in the possession of Mrs. Custer, having been 

42 



presented to her gallant husband in recognition of his brilliant 
services, and also from the fact that to him it was first directed. 

"Halting a moment to observe this approaching squad, I 
soon determined by the speed at which they were riding and the 
direction from which they came that their mission was one of 
importance. Satisfied, from my brief observation of this party 
and its movements that no trick for my capture was intended, I 
put spurs to my horse and dashed towards them, and was soon 
face to face with the approaching party. Drawing rein for a 
moment, as we neared each other, the leader hurriedly asked : 

' 'Where is the General commanding? We have dispatches 
of importance.' 

"Pointing in the direction, I said: 

" 'General Custer is at the head of his column right over 
there/ 

"Changing their course to the point indicated, away they 
dashed. From the rapid riding I had done, the jumping of 
fallen timbers as well as two or three fences, my saddle girth 
had become loosened, the cloth had slipped back, and I was 
about to lose it. Dismounting to adjust this difficulty, I was 
delayed a few minutes. 

"In the meantime the party I had directed to General Custer 
had reached him, and by the time I came up they were starting 
to return with Custer's answer, General Whittaker, his chief- 
of-staff, accompanying them. 

"Things were moving very rapidly then. What takes much 
time to write occupied very little time in fact. To arrest the 
further spilling of blood and prevent a collision of troops liable 
to occur at any moment, was the object of Lee, and this his 
messengers understood. They Lad ridden hard with a n essage 
intended to arrest the farther advance of the Union t 'oops, 
and with equal speed did they return with the answer. 

"From General Custer I obtained permission to accom )any 
this returning party, but there was no opportunity for .:on- 

43 



versation with those composing it. for it was little less ths n a 
race, and one so hot that, with a horse already pretty well 
blown from hard riding. 1 was barely able to keep up. Indeed, 
on this occasion, and for the reason named, I might have been 
called a 'rear guard.' In explanation of my poor mount on 
this occasion, it may be well to say that during the seven pr :- 
ceding days I had lost three horses, killed in battle, and thus it 
happened that on the morning of the 9th my steed was not a 
thoroughbred. He was unequal to the work that day given 
him. and was never fit to ride again. 

"Dismounting at Lee's headquarters, I was met by several 
officers who inquired : 

" 'What's up?' 

"Stopping to make reply, I soon became an object of interest 
and the center of quite a group of anxious and animated men, 
most of whom seemed unaware of what was then transpiring. 
When, in answer to an inquiry as to what the meaning of this 
flag of truce was, I answered, 'I think about your terms to sur- 
render,' the proposition was promptly rejected. 

"Numerous expressions of dissent were made, and one 
officer in particular was quite indignant — felt personally insulted 
and wanted satisfaction. He was at once suppressed, one of 
his brother officers saying to him : 

'This officer is here under a flag of truce, is entitled to its 
protection, and you should not insult him." 

"Than the army of Lee none, I believe, was ever more 
loyal to its chief; and from the temper and disposition of his 
officers even on the day of surrender I am confident if he had 
directed they would have cheerfully gone into battle to the 
death. 

"During the short time I was observing these things — say 

twenty minutes — officers were continually coming and eroinsr. 

.000 

and several prominent Generals were pointed out. Among 
such as I remember were Longstreet, Hill, and Gordon. While 

44 



thus engaged, and having my attention directed to other matters 
I had not noticed the reappearance of my party until after it 
had mounted and was moving away. My 'Good day, gentle- 
men,' and military salute as mounting I rode away, were 
politely but not very cordially returned. I did not attempt to 
overtake the now rapid riding party returning to General 
Custer, but after following their course through the enemy's 
lines I changed direction and rode back to where I had left 
my regiment. 

"Once there. I told the officers the story of my adventures, 
and we congratulated each other upon the prospect of a speedy 
termination of the war. The appearance of the flag of truce 
and the request of Lee were rapidly communicated to the army, 
and while it arrested all further fighting, no one knew whether 
those in consultation would agree or not; and so our forces 
were massed, and we again stood to horse awaiting results. 
Ail were nervous and excited. The final and official notice 
of the surrender was not received until about 3 p. m., if I remem- 
ber aright, and then followed a scene that I can no more describe 
than I can forget. The tension of a mental strain, such as 
those who hourly face danger and death can only know, was 
suddenly loosened. Visions of home and loved ones appeared, 
and joy alone dimmed many an eye. and from lips the power of 
speech was often taken.'' 



45 




1863. 



1901. 



Lieutenant Colonel Daniel H. Darling, 

Joliet, 111. 

Born at Painesville, Lake County, Ohio, June 8th, 1836; 
enlisted at East Saginaw, Mich.. August 1st, 1862, as private 
in the 7th Michigan Cavalry ; promoted to Captain October 
15th, 1862, of Co. "C," to Major, March 22d, 1864, and to 
Leieutenant Colonel, May 26th, 1865; not mustered as Lieu- 
tenant Colonel ; was mustered out at Jackson, Mich., December 
16th, 1865, and honorably discharged. 

AN INCIDENT IN THE HISTORY OF THE 7TH MICHIGAN 
CAVALRY. 

By Lieutenant Colonel Daniel H. Darling. 

In the late summer and early fall of L865 our regiment had 
its headquarters at Fort tlalleck, at the base of Medicine Bow 
Mi luntain, on the eastern front of the Rocky range in Wyoming. 

46 



This post — now abandoned — was on the great trail from the 
States to Utah, Idaho, Montana, etc., and on an average 100 
wagons per day passed loaded with Government or private 
freight. 

One hot morning I was waited on by a small party from 
one of these trains which had camped over night near the Fort. 
The wagon-master, who was the spokesman of the party, 
informed me that one of the men belonging to his train had 
shot and killed another, and he wished me to hear the testimony 
in the case and decide what should be done with the man who 
did the shooting. To this I objected, telling him that I was 
not doing business in the judicial line at present, but the wagon- 
master insisted that as we were entirely outside the pale of civil 
law, the military was the only source they could appeal to for 
justice and protection. Moreover, in this case a man's life 
was in jeopardy, and that unless we took the matter in hand and 
settled it, the man himself would be murdered before another 
day began; that whatever our verdict might be, he would see 
that it was respected and carried out, for then he would be 
acting under authority. At this point the accused himself 
came forward to beg me to hear and settle the case. He was a 
tall, slim young fellow with light hair, and naturally a pleasing 
countenance, but at the time he wore a haggard and distressed 
aspect, so nervous and depressed that he could hardly speak, 
whiie his knees knocked together in his frightened weakne->. 

So I finally decided to hear the case and give him a trial. 
Adjutant Pratt was detailed as Clerk of the Court, and author- 
ized to swear the witnesses. Witnesses were examined for the 
prosecution and defence, and what they said was carefully 
written down. Then the Court adjourned until afternoon to 
give the Judge time to review the testimony and write his ver- 
dict. At the appointed time he gave his decision, properly 
signed and sealed. 

It was to the effect that the accused was acquitted, that the 

47 



homicide was justifiable, and that the only criticism the Court 
had to make was, that the young man ought to have used his 
pistol sooner and shot three or four men instead of one. 

The wagon-master accepted the verdict as all right and 
declared that if any man in the train attempted to further dis- 
turb the young man on account of this affair he would not hes- 
itate to shoot him on the spot. 

Later in the day I had an interview with the young man, 
and found that he had graduated from Yale College the pre- 
vious June, and being in poor health and threatened with a pul- 
monary disease, his physician advised him to go West onto the 
"plains" and rough it for a while. Accordingly he went to 
Omaha and hired himself to drive three yoke of oxen and a 
load of freight through to Idaho in a train of one hundred 
wagons and one hundred men. This lot of "bull-whackers" 
was made up of old hands mostly, and many of them were 
ignorant and vicious. 

They soon discovered that this young man was a thin- 
skinned tender-foot, and they took every means in their power 
to make his life miserable. By their behavior one would think 
they were related to the undergraduates at West Point. He 
had to gather the fuel to make the mess, do all the cooking, run 
for water, hunt for stray cattle, yoke their teams, etc., and if 
he did not move with sufficient agility to suit them, a pistol 
shot around his feet or an ox gad over his back would hurry 
him off. At length someone knocked him over with an ox bow 
and the "worm turned." He informed them that they must 
stop and let him alone or he would use his pistol. When one 
insolent unbeliever tried to bring him under again, he shot 
him, and then they clamored for his life. The wagon-master 
gave him temporary protection till they reached our Fort and 
had the matter settled. 

48 



Next morning the train moved on, and to make assurance 
doubly sure, I sent a small escort for a matter of fifty miles, 
but all seemed quiet and settled. 

I had several letters and papers from the young man from 
San Francisco, Japan, and other points on his journey around 
the world, but finally lost track of him, and know not whether 
he be alive or dead. 

His name was McGuffy, of Cincinnati, son of the author of 
the celebrated series of School Readers. 

Not long after this event a young couple from somewhere 
came to the Fort to have me unite them in marriage, but I 
drew the line right here and positively refused. 

Some of the officers took pity on them and tried to have 
the Quartermaster marry them, but he refused and someone 
else was vainly appealed to. Finally they took the pair to the 
blacksmith, and he welded them together, so I was told. 




49 




1863. 
Major George K. Newcombe, 

Traverse City, Mich. 

Born at Westfield, Chautauqua County, N. Y., August 16th, 
1833; enlisted at Owosso, Shiawassee County, Mich., October 
12th, 1861, as Captain of Co. "F," 9th Michigan Infantry; 
was promoted to Major 7th Michigan Cavalry, December 10th, 
1862; was wounded by rifle shot in leg at Gettysburg in Cus- 
ter's famous mounted charge; mustered out at Owosso, Shia- 
wassee County, Mich., October 12th, 1863, and honorably 
discharged. 



50 




1863. 
Major Henry W. Granger, 

"Dead." 

Born April 4rth, 1823, at Champion, Jefferson County, N. 
Y. ; enlisted as First Lieutenant in New York Lincoln Cav- 
alry, August 14th, 18(31 ; was promoted to Major in the 7th 
Michigan Cavalry December 20th, 1862 ; killed in action at 
Yellow Tavern, Va., May 11th, 1864. 

Major Granger was a heroic and brave officer, respected 
by his superiors and worshipped by his men. He had all the 
requisites of a magnificent officer, was cool in action, vigilant 
and bold, and was held in highest esteem by General George 
A. Custer. His death was regretted by every member of his 
Regiment, and in fact by the Brigade he was associated with. 



51 




1864. 



1901. 



Major Robert Sprout 

608 North Franklin St., Saginaw, Mich. 

Born October 10th ? 1836, at Cleveland, Ohio; enlisted 
at Birch Run, Saginaw County, Mich., August 15th, 1862, as 
private in Co. ;, C," 7th Michigan Cavalry; was promoted to 
Second Lieutenant November 13th, 1862, to Captain, June 23d, 
1863, and to Major, May 24th, 1S65; was wounded at Raccoon 
Ford, Va., September 16th, 1S63, by shell in right arm, and at 
Fort Royal Gap, Va., August 16th, 1864, in arm by gunshot. 
Transferred to 1st Michigan Veteran Cavalry November 17th, 
L865. Mustered out at Detroit, Mich., March 10th, 1866, and 
honorably discharged. 



BATTLE OF TREVILIAN'S STATION, VA. 
By Major Robert Sproul. 

I would like to correct a statement in an article that I saw 
a few years ago to the effect that the 5th Michigan Cavalry 
opened the fight at the Battle of Trevilian's Station, June 11. 
1864. The facts are these: The Rebels began charging the 
picket reserves of the 7th Michigan Cavalry about half-past 
three of that morning and soon after were repulsed by our men, 
and then the 5th Michigan Cavalry became engaged about one 
and a half miles away and near Trevilian's Station doing great 
work; they captured the Rebel wagon train, but did not stop 
there. We followed the 1st out as a flank, came up to the train 
and left our lead horses and Brigade H. Q. wagon with them. 
It was not long before the enemy came along and took the whole 
thing, including our lead horses, everything we had to eat, not 
even leaving the niggers, or a thing to cook with, in fact, 
cleaned everything out. 

About this time the 7th was engaged in three different direc- 
tions at once, charging right, left, and front in small detach- 
ments. While our men were making these charges the Rebels 
ran out one gun of a battery ; our men immediately charged it, 
driving the Rebels off, but in turn they returned the charge and 
our boys were obliged to fall back without the gun. They 
rallied and made another charge and this time they were suc- 
cessful in capturing the gun and it remained with us. About 
the time this was going on my attention was directed to another 
part of the field, where I saw six of our men wheel into line 
and make a charge on a detachment of the enemy, who were 
coming out of the woods and about to make a charge on our 

53 



right; they broke for the woods and did not bother us again 
from that quarter. After seeing this independent charge by 
our men I formed an opinion that just such work and under 
such circumstances is where the United States soldier is a 
better soldier than all others. 

History has said but very little in regard to this Battle, bt i 
some day when a true and complete history has been written 
the Battle of Treviliair s Station will rank as one of the fiercest 
and hottest engagements the Michigan Brigade ever took 
part in. 




64 




1861. 1901. 

Major Jas. L. Carpenter, 

Blissfield. Mich. 

Born April 11th, 1834, at Norfolk, St. Lawrence County, 
N. Y. ; enlisted at Scipio, Hillsdale County, Mich., November 
5th, 1802, as private in the 7th Michigan Cavalry ; was promoted 
to First Lieutenant, Co. "F," October 15th, 1862, promoted to 
Captain June 8th, 1863, and promoted to Major March 26th, 
1865; was wounded at Gettysburg July 3d, 1863, being shot 
entirely through the body on left side near the heart ; trans- 
ferred to 1st Michigan Veteran Cavalry November 17th, 1865, 
and mustered as Major to date from December 4th, 1865, by 
special direction of the Secretary of War, to amend record. 
On detached service at Denver, Col., as A. A. A. G., with 

55 



MY EXPERIENCE AT GETTYSBURG. 
By Major Tames L. Carpenter. 

At the Battle of Gettysburg we were in line company 
front, "A" first, "F" second. 

About three p. m., July 3rd, 1863, we were ordered for- 
ward at trot until we came to a strong ridered worm fence, 
where we met a lot of Johnnies, and with our carbines and 
pistols we drove them from under the fence. Colonel Briggs 
(then Adjutant), George Lunday of Co. "F," and others 
jumped from their horses and made a gap wide enough for us 
to pass. Each Company had to break off by fours from the 
right into column. When Co. "F," led by Sergt. Buck, reached 
the gap in the fence we got a volley from the Rebel Cavalry 
at the right, which killed Buck's horse and wounded me, the 
ball passing through my left side. I felt as if some one had 
punched me hard with a stick, but did not fall from my horse. 
I saw blood on my shirt, moved my left arm and concluded 
that I was not dead, then touched my horse with spurs and 
she jumped through the opening and passed Buck's horse. My 
strength then gave out and breath became short, so I reined 
out of column and dismounted. As I did so a riderless horse 
jumped the fence and jammed me between him and my horse. 
I did not fall, but let my horse go and crawled back over the 
fence, there found one of our men with a prisoner who was 
about to get away from him. I drew my pistol and ordered 
prisoner to go on and he obeyed. 

I was now tottering and looking for a safe place to lie 
down, when a gentlemanly Rebel asked me for my pistol. I 
gave it to him. He asked me if I was wounded and then said, 
"Hang on to my stirrup straps and come on." I went a few- 
rods and fell to the ground, saw my captor watching me 
closely while lie was trying to manipulate two single-barrel, 
large-hilted derringer; it was too much for him and I 
smiled at his awkwardness. He soon left me. Next I saw 

56 



a column of Cavalry, four abreast, charging toward me at a 
gallop. I feared they would trample on me so rolled over 
out of their path and escaped injury as they whizzed by like 
a shot. While I lay there a soldier in blue came out of the 
thicket which was between me and our troops. He had a 
Burnside carbine. I told him I was wounded and asked him 
if I could crawl away. He undoubtedly thought I was a Rebel 
and for an answer dropped on one knee and took deliberate 
aim at me; I thought I could see down the gun barrel to the 
ball ; the gun snapped ; he rapped it on the side and again took 
aim as before; the gun again snapped; he got up, cursed the 
gun and went away. Shells from our side fell so near that 
when they burst the pieces striking the ground threw dirt 
on me. 

I became unconscious and one of my men, Warren Wol- 
cott, from the ambulance train, found me, rolled me over and 
thought me dead and so reported. Near dark I came to and 
heard two guns, one from each way along the fence, and 
heard the bullets sing as they passed. I thought best to go, 
but how? I could not move at first,; but hearing Union songs 
in the distance decided to try to go to them; with the help of 
my steel scabbard which hung to my belt, I raised myself to 
a sitting posture, but my head whirled and I came near fall- 
ing back again; perspiration started and I felt better. By 
raising my body on my right arm and hand and drawing up 
my legs I swung along a foot or so at a time till I passed 
around the thicket above mentioned, came to a fence, passed 
through a gap and rested under a small bushy tree. 

While I lay there two men came near, calling for wounded 
and saying they wanted to care for them, but as I did not 
know which side they belonged to I lay low till they were 
gone. I then got up and walked some, but crawled more, till 
near the place where I heard the Union songs. They were 
preparing to leave, I called as loud as I could, they paid no 
attention; I called again, my strength and voice about gone, 
this time they heard me. They were a burial party and when 

57 



convinced that I was a friend they put me on a mule. I 
thought the jarring of the mule would kill me and begged so 
that they took me off and laid me on the soft side of a pile of 
square timber. Soon an ambulance came for me, but the 
rolling motion caused great pain. After a long trip we 
stopped till morning, then Dr. Richards, Assistant Surgeon 
of our Regiment, came to see me and I was taken into a barn 
and placed on straw on the floor. 

Dr. Richards was ordered away, but Dr. Sinclaire, of the 
5th Cavalry, cared for me as well as circumstances would per- 
mit. He probed my wound and I fainted. My side was black 
and blue from hip to arm, caused by being crushed between 
the horses. That was my condition on the glorious -1th of 
July, 1863 ; I stayed there all day and all night. 

Fortunately, Joel Harrison came to me that day and next 
morning he had me moved in a carriage into the City of Get- 
tysburg. I was placed in a church where boards were spread 
on the top of the pews with only blankets on them to make 
the wounded comfortable. Poor George Lunday and I slept 
the night there. He had been wounded, the ball entered his 
head near the nose and passed near an artery, which a few 
days later sloughed through and he bled to death in fifteen 
minutes. A Lieutenant of the Fifth New York Cavalry lay 
by me in the church and we resolved to get more comfortable 
quarters if they could he procured, so I asked the first man that 
came to the door in the morning if he could not help us. Soon 
his wife and daughter came and we were taken to their home, 
placed in good beds and well cared for. A clean shirt from the 
"Christian Commission" added much to my comfort. This 
estimable family was named Longwell. 

In a few days Captain Mann came and took me home to 
Michigan. On September 10th following I returned to my 
Regiment with my wound still open. 

5S 



In 1S89 I returned to Gettysburg- to witness the unveiling 
of Michigan's monument. I there found Miss Longwell, the 
only survivor of her family. She showed me over the town, 
her old home, and the National Federal Cemetery. I there 
met a German who called to thank her for writing a letter to 
his family while he lay wounded and not able to write. He 
told her he still had the letter in a frame at home.. 

Miss Longwell told me she wrote letters for the soldiers 
all the time she could spare for weeks after the battle. She 
always carried writing material and a hassock with her. 
Comino- to a soldier that wanted a letter written she would 
drop on the hassock, write the letter and pass on to the nex\ 
Truly this girl of sixteen was a ministering angel ; God bless 
her. 

THE BATTLE OF CEDAR CREEK, OCT. 19. 1864. 
By Maj. James L. Carpenter. 

Our Regiment was camped close on the right of the In- 
fantry's extreme right post, facing south on the banks of Cedar 
Creek which crossed the pike between Middletown and Stras- 
burg in Shenandoah Count}', Virginia. Although we were not 
absolutely in the engagement, we were near and around it and 
under fire several times during the day. 

During the afternoon of the 1 8th, previous to the battle, we 
received orders to go on picket after supper, a detail of seme 
one hundred or more men being made. We left camp, 
crossed the Creek, then by twos moved along a narrow farm 
road through low bluffs on the south side of the Creek. After 
going over the picket line and relieving the command then 
there, we concluded to set one more picket farther to the left 
after dark, which brought him well in front of the Infantry, 
they being on the other side of the Creek, so we gave them 
notice of the advanced picket. We ordered that no man hitch 
his horse when off duty, but to hold him ; we had a fire well in 

59 



the rear, as it was a bright and cold night. We were in a tight 
place if crowded hard; there was no place to back out save 
through the narrow road, we knowing nothing of the lay of 
the land to our right. About two o'clock on the morning of 
the 19th our picket on the left fired. Oil going to him he re- 
ported that the head of a column had appeared, and as his 
orders had been to fire on anything appearing from the front 
he had complied with them. The appearance of a column 
proved to be true, as it backed off, not answering the shot, fear- 
ing to stir up an engagement, which it did not wish just then, 
but went farther to our left to the Creek and by some means 
got in and attacked the Infantry's right post and also our 
Regimental reserve. They began firing on our pickets and 
pressing them in on the front, stirring up things generally. 
They were now squarely behind us and covered our retreat b) 
the narrow road, so we were in a trap. We immediately gath- 
ered up our pickets, got in line, counted off and slipped away 
up the Creek, the Regiment crossing the Creek farther up to 
help us out. When I heard the clatter of horses coming up the 
ravine in front and on our right I dispatched Sergeant Buck 
to find out what it was. He discovered it was our Regiment 
and so reported, and then reported 10 Colonel Briggs that we 
were all right. 

The enemy made this move, intending to drive in our 
pickets and perhaps bag most of the picket force and get up as 
much noise as they could so as to attract the Army to that 
point while they were quietly getting through the Infantry on 
the left to strike our men in camp, which they effectually did. 
The first order we received from Brigade Headquarters was 
to fall back and come around to the pike. The Rebels shelled 
us, which shots went over or fell short and hurt no one. When 
we reached the pike General Sheridan had just arrived at the 
end of his famous ride from Winchester. We saw him direct- 
ing the movements of the Army and halting many stragglers. 
We crossed the pike and came into line on low ground and 
against a rail fence in- close order so as to be covered as much as 

00 



possible. Col. Briggs and myself were near together. Soon a 
shell from the enemy struck in a bank away to our left ; it was 
a cross fire and we saw it coming end over end directly toward 
our heads. I have to> acknowledge that I ducked down and I 
went down low ; am not sure the Colonel did, but I should had 
I been where he was. The shell passed over us and struck a 
horse in the front rank, passing through his left shoulder, kill- 
ing him, and through his rider's right leg,^above the knee, from 
which wound he lost his life; he belonged to Co. G. 

We soon moved around to the left of the Army. While 
moving we passed a horse that had been hit with a piece of 
shell in the top of the hip, blood was spurting from the wound, 
he still standing. I never heard such groans as were made by 
that poor beast before nor since. 

We took our position full up to the front of the Army 
and a little to the left on a small hill for the purpose of watch- 
ing any flank movement on the part of the enemy. We were 
to hold that position, and if the charge of the Cavalry was suc- 
cessful we were to move to the front. They gave us a shell 
now and then to keep us awake. This was the only engage- 
ment of the war in which I could sit and look on and see how 
the other fellows did it. 

We saw the Cavalry form just to our right on low ground 
and begin the charge. They struck the enemy hard but were 
not successful, falling back to an open field, reformed, counted 
off, and charged a second time, when they went through, break- 
ing the enemy up and ended the fighting in this battle. 

We moved to the front, picking up prisoners from all sorts 
of hiding places. As we took one prisoner another near by 
called out, "John, have you surrendered?" "Yes," was the 
answer. "Wall, I reckon how r as I may as well go, too." We 
moved on, still picking up men, till we had many more prison- 
ers than we had men of our own. 

It was growing dark when I discovered that our detach- 
ment was not attached to our Regiment or the Brigade. We 
soon came to Division Headquarters, when I reported our con- 

61 



dition and inquired for our Regiment and Brigade. The Ad- 
jutant General told me he did not know much about it just 
then. He took my name and Regiment and told me to gather 
all the men of our Regiment that I could find and go into camp 
near by. He pointed out the direction to go, saying we might 
be wanted before morning, so you must be within call. There 
were perhaps a hundred of us in the detachment. We had not 
had breakfast, dinner or supper and we had had no sleep the 
night before and had been in the saddle all day. Our horses had 
had no feed, not even water, still there were thousands of men 
and horses in nearly or quite as bad a fix as we were. Amos 
Osborne, of Co. "F," told me he could get some hay for my 
horse as he knew where to find some. Being pretty hungry I 
called on him for his haversack, but there was nothing in it. 
After feeding our horses I went to foraging and found in my 
saddle pocket one lone quarter of a box of sardines, nothing 
more. It had been there for months as a reserve for just such 
an occasion. Osborne and I did not leave a scale, a bare bone 
or a drop of oil. It was now bedtime, but we had no blankets, 
so with the great earth beneath for a bed and the canopy of 
heaven over us for a blanket and the beautiful moon to light 
us we rested as though we were kings indeed. 

About two o'clock on the morning of the 20th, "boots and 
saddles" sounded from Brigade Headquarters. We re- 
ported and moved down the pike to Strasburg and Fisher's 
Mill. The absconding Rebel Army had left the road full of 
army wagons, many hooked together by the wheels being 
locked, drivers probably having unhooked a horse from their 
team and pushed on. In the mad race of retreat they had left 
ambulances filled with the wounded and dead, big cannons 
jumped from the gun carriages, dead men, some with new blue 
clothes on and many other contraband of war were lying along 
the road. We were not accomplishing much, so counter- 
marched, returning to about the same place we had left, and 
laid down. This time Osborne got blankets for us both. We 

62 



got out in the morning and found the Regiment about ten 
o'clock the morning of the 20th. 

My colored boy Jim had gotten back and found the Regi- 
ment. He came to me, saying, "Cap'n, I hurried back this 
morn'n 'cause I knew you was hungry, and I beat all them 
other fellows, but when I got here you wasn't here, and them 
other officers took all your grub." I told him that was all 
right, I should have clone the same thing had I been in their 
place. 

The lead horses came up soon and we breakfasted on hard- 
tack, raw pork, etc. 

On the morning of the battle the enemy got the advantage, 
drove us back and captured our Quartermaster and Commis- 
sary Headquarters,; they found stacks of U. S. blue clothing 
and many donned them; they also found large quantities of 
whisky and downed it. On the battlefield many dead Rebels 
were found arrayed in blue clothes and many of our prisoners 
were well clothed in blue also. 

So goes war. It was a hard experience, but we were not 
the only ones that suffered during that long civil strife. 



63 




i86 3 . 



1902. 



Major Farnham Lyon, 

Saginaw, Mich. 

Born at Au Sable Chasm, Essex County, N. Y., Novem- 
ber 5th, 1829; enlisted and mustered at Detroit, Mich., Octo- 
ber 7th, 1862, as First Lieutenant and Regimental Quarter- 
master of 7th Michigan Cavalry; promoted to Captain and 
A. Q. M. May 24th, 1864,; assigned to A. Q. M., Third Divis- 
ion of Cavalry, by General Custer, October 16th, 1864; pro- 
moted to Brevet Major and A. Q. M. March 13th, 1865; 
assigned Q. M. of Cavalry in Texas June 23rd, 1865; ap- 
pointed Chief Q. M. Department of Texas December 8th. 
1865; mustered out at Grand Rapids, Mich., April 17th, 1866, 
and honorably discharged. 



64 



APPOMATTOX. 

By Major Farnham Lyon. 

I went out with the Regiment from Grand Rapids to 
Washington, Washington to Fairfax C. H. I was not with 
the Regiment after we arrived in Virginia, but a short time 
before I was detailed on duty at Brigade Headquarters under 
General Copeland, and as I was vibrating between one place 
and another I did not see as much of the Regiment or become 
as well acquainted with you all as I would have wished. I had 
the honor of g'oing with General Kilpatrick as Expedition 
Quartermaster on his celebrated raid to Richmond (not into 
Richmond). I continued with our Brigade on General Custer's 
Staff until President Lincoln saw fit to make me Captain and 
A. O. M., when I left you on the James River and returned 
home waiting orders, and was assigned as Q. M. of General 
Custer's Third Division, Army of the Shenandoah, where I 
remained until Lee's surrender at Appomatox. Life here was 
very peaceful, with few exceptions while in the Valley, until 
the 10th of October, 1864. After that we were quite lively, as 
you all know. I happened to be the first officer from the front 
to meet General Sheridan on his famous ride that day, as we 
were getting to the rear as fast as mules could take us. We 
were about two miles out, and as I had charge of the trains he 
asked me what was going on, and ordered me to park the train 
right there. He left a part of his escort with me in charge of 
an officer, and ordered him to stop all soldiers and turn them 
back. The fact that Sheridan was returning caused very little 
trouble to get them to about face. Sheridan was right. We 
had retreated far enough. That morning will long be remem- 
bered. Captain Earl, Commissary, and I lost a good break- 
fast. As we were about ready for it the 10th Corps backed 
up on us and we were obliged to leave our red hot stove and 
breakfast for some Johnny. 

It was my pleasure to be with you all at Appomattox Sta- 

65 



tion on the evening of the 8th and the 9th of April, that me- 
morable clay of Lee's surrender, which has been so graphically 
described by General George A. Forsyth in his book, "Thrilling 
Days in Army Life." I was at the McLean House when 
General Lee arrived, and immediately after the signing of the 
papers by General Grant and General Lee I was ordered by 
General Sheridan to bring up the Cavalry Corps' subsistance 
train for the purpose of issuing Commissary stores to the 
Rebel Arm v. The order was as follows : 



Head Qrs. Cavalry, 
Appomatox C. H., Va., 
April 9th, 1865. 
Capt. F. Lyon, 

A. Q. M. 3rd Cavy. Div. 

Captain: The Maj. Genl. Com'dg. directs that you pro- 
ceed at once to the Cavalry Supply Train in rear of 6th Corps 
Train, and bring it without delay by the shortest and most 
practicable route to this place. 

The Trains contain Sub. Stores, which are required to issue 
to prisoners taken this day. 
Very resp. 

Your obt. Servt., 

A. J. McGonnigIvE, 
Capt. & A. C. 0. M. 
M.M.D. 



66 


















&**" y * £ * 




'Oy&i^d*^ 



(copy of original ordir) 



67 



The order as first received did not state the object of bring- 
ing up the train. On asking Captain McGonnigle where the 
train was, he said, "directly in the rear of the 6th Corps on the 
Pike." I said, "It will take me until midnight to get it here if 
I have to go around Lee's Army." He took back the order and 
wrote the above and said, "Ride a short distance from here 
and you will find a Rebel Major on duty, and when he reads 
this order he will pass you through the line." So he did and it 
proved a great treat for me to pass through the line of General 
Lee's Army that had obstructed our path so long. 

The train was brought up and rations were issued to the 
prisoners that night. Early the next morning we were on the 
march to the South in search of Johnson's Army. The first 
chance I got that day while everything was fresh in my mind, 
I wrote a letter home, of which the following is a copy : 

"Headquarters, 3rd Cavalry Div., 

Near Prospect Station, Va. 
April 10, 1865. 
Dear Father: Yesterday, April 9th, at Appomattox C. H., 
Virginia, will long be remembered by the soldiers of the Armies 
of Virginia. To say it was the happiest day of my life would 
not half express it. Language cannot express the feeling of the 
soldiers during the five hours of truce as we were in plain view, 
watching and talking with the enemy. The truce was to end 
at four p. m. All knew how it would end. Officers from 
either side found old acquaintances and had pleasant meetings. 
General Custer had a number of calls from old classmates. 
General Lee in going to meet General Grant passed close by, 
looking fine. At four p. m. it was made known that General 
Lee had surrendered the Army of Virginia to General Grant. 
Cheer after cheer was heard from the soldiers. We were or- 
dered to move in the morning at 1 o'clock, and were feeling 
quite disappointed at not seeing the Confederate Army marched 



out, but I was not to be disappointed. About 4 :30 p. m. I was 
ordered by General Sheridan to look up the Cavalry train and 
bring it up, and was informed that it was in the rear of the 
6th Corps, which was directly opposite, in rear of the enemy. 
As supplies were to be issued to the prisoners I made the fact 
known to their picket, and I was allowed, with my Orderly, to 
pass through their camp. It was a grand sight for a Q. M. 
and thousands would have been glad to have been in my place 
for the time being. When about two miles inside the Rebel 
camp I met the prisoners captured from us. When they saw 
my red necktie, which General Custer and Staff always wore, 
one said, "There is one of Custer's Staff Officers," then such 
a shout as went up from 2,000 Union throats is not heard 
every day. I felt as good as they did. Everybody felt good. 
And all now think the last gun is fired by the Army of the 
Potomac, and as soon as the fact of Lee's surrender is known 
by other armies of the Confederacy I think they will follow 
his example. I am in hopes that twenty days will see the end 
of the war. Where we are going I do not know. We shall 
get supplies at Burke's Station, thirty miles from here, at the 
junction of South Side and Danville R. R. We may march 
from there to 1 Richmond or go South, as the events of the next 
two or three days will determine. 

I enclose a few sprigs, etc., taken from the room that the 
capitulation was made in. 

General Custer has the little table the terms of surrender 
were signed on, and Colonel Whitaker of the Staff has the chair 
General Lee sat in when he signed it. 

I enclose also a paper which I took off* the table. I think 
it was used as a cover at the time. 

With love to all, I am 

Affectionately yours, 

Farnham." 

69 



After a few days we learned of General Johnson's sur- 
render to General Sherman. We returned to Washington and 
after the memorable review I left for Texas with General 
Custer, where I spent the winter. 

If I had the time and did not impose upon you, I would 
very much like to touch upon the pleasant side of our camp 
life, for it had its pleasures as well as hardships and exposures. 
To me, as I look back, I feel that you of the "Old Seventh" 
were particularly kind to me, looking after my comfort when it 
should have been the duty of the Quartermaster to look after 
yours. I shall never forget your zeal and the many willing 
hands that brought up from "Morton's Ford" the old log 
house and put it up for my winter quarters at Stevensburgh. 
It w T as a perfect surprise and will always be remembered as 
one of the many kind acts bestowed upon me. 




70 




1893 



Rev. Charles P. Nash, 

Holly, Oakland Co., Mich. 

Born March 16th, 1831, at Clarkston, Rockland County, 
N. Y. ; enlisted September 6th, 1863, as Chaplain of the 7th 
Michigan Cavalry; mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., 
December 11th, 1865, and honorably discharged. 

INCIDENTS. 
By Rev. C. P. Nash. 

I was with our Regiment in Kilpatrick's raid of February, 
1864, Sheridan's Raid on to Richmond, May, 1864, and was at 
the front with the Regiment which participated in battles and 
skirmishes, viz.: Richmond, March 1st; Wildnerness, May 
6th and 7th; Yellow Tavern, May 10th; Front Royal, August 
16th; Winchester, September 19th; Woodstock, October 9th; 
Cedar Creek, October 19th. Never was captured or wounded. 

71 



I thought I was wounded once during the battle of Woodstock. 
Surprised while resting by Early's men, who had crept up near 
us under cover of growing corn, I felt the sting of a bullet whiz 
so close to my nose that I surely thought I had lost a portion 
of that important facial appendage. I instantly used my hand 
to ascertain how much was missing and was delighted to find 
it intact, not even the skin abraded. 

At the battle of Cedar Creek, October 19th, 1864, during a 
lull in the storm of battle, I was requested by Colonel Briggs to 
go to the rear and toward the right of the line to reconnoitre. 
As I neared the main road I saw General Sheridan, on his 
spirited and foaming black, finish his celebrated ride from 
Winchester; saw a young officer an aide ride to meet him. 
The only words I heard were by the General, who inquired. 
"Where in h — 1 is General Wright?" I did not hear the 
answer, but 1 afterwards learned that that young officer was 
Major McKinley, our martyred President. It was on that 
same afternoon that while reconnoitreing, I got between the 
two lines of battle, and had to do what I supposed impossible, 
actually dodge cannon balls. I did not get back to report to 
Colonel Briggs. 



72 




1864 



1901 



Lieutenant Daniel McNaughton, 

331 South Lafayette St., Grand Rapids. Mich. 

Born July 1st, 1837, at Moscow, Hillsdale County, Mich.; 
enlisted at Grand Rapids, Kent County, Mich., August 28th, 
1862, as R. Q. M. Sergeant, 7th Michigan Cavalry; was pro- 
moted to First Lieutenant and R. O. M. May 18th. 1861; p 
mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, December loch, 
1865, and honorably discharged. 

REMINISCENCES. 
By Lieut. Dan'l McNaughton. 

The late summer and early autumn of 1802 were incited 
dark days for the Republic. McClellan with an army of 
160,000 men — the best organized and finest equipped body of 
soldiers that had ever marshalled under the standard of any 
cause — had been outgeneraled and defeated before Richmond. 



There was no pause in the victorious march of the Confed- 
erates. Swarming northward across the Potomac, they threat- 
ened the National Capital. In the West also, the situation was 
grave, and it looked indeed as if the God of our fathers had 
forsaken us and as if the doom of the Nation was sealed. It 
was in this darkest hour that the 5th, 6th, and 7th Regiments of 
Michigan Cavalry were recruited and hurried to the front in 
defence of the imperiled Republic. These regiments, together 
with the First, already in the field, composed the famous "Mich- 
igan Cavalry Brigade," an organization that at once became 
conspicuous for brilliant and heroic achievements. Bravely 
and well they carried the old Flag through the night of tempest 
and of storm, and returned it floating higher, and a new glory 
gleaming from its stars, its brightened folds radiant in the sun- 
light of a hundred victories. They shed unfading honors 
upon their State and gave to history the foremost name in all 
the annals of cavalry leadership in the person of the knightly 
and lamented Custer. 

It was my privilege to follow the fortunes of the 7th Mich- 
igan Cavalry, and I have never had occasion to regret my asso- 
ciation with that splendid body of men. The comradeship of 
those old days, the friendships formed and fostered in those 
far-off years are the most cherished recollections of my later 
life. I love to go back to those eventful times and linger 
along the pathway of those stirring scenes. 

I touch the wand of memory and I am with the old boys 
again. I am with them on the dusty, wearisome march, and 
share with them again a soldier's couch, the covering being 
the clouds and the stars. I am with them again in camp and 
field, through mountain gap and over swollen rivers ; I am 
with them at Gettysburg, with them in the sleepless watches 
along the Rapidan and the Rappahannock ; I am with them 
through the tangled shadows of the Wilderness, with them 
before Petersburg; I am with them at Winchester, and follow 

74 



again the banners of the victorious Sheridan as he sweeps like a 
cyclone through the Valley of the Shenandoah; I am with them 
at Appomattox, I am with them again in the gaily deco- 
rated avenues of the Capital City of the Nation, in that most 
magnificent pageant of modern times, where the battle-scarred 
victors of the Potomac and the conquering veterans of the 
March to the Sea met and passed in grand review before the 
uncovered heads of Courts and Cabinets — victorious legions of 
the most stupendous conflict in history passing through the 
gateway of peace amid a rain of flowers. I am with them, too, 
in that thirsty and treeless journey across the Western plains ; 
with them in the shadows of the Rockies, with them in sun- 
shine and cold. 

I call old names and the old faces pass before me as in a 
dream. I see Colonel Mann, our first Commander, bluff, 
impatient and sometimes impulsive, but withal a brave, gener- 
ous soul and a born leader of men. 

Colonel Litchfield, tall and straight as an arrow, reserved 
and thoughtful, yet a kinder heart never beat than his. He 
was absolutely fearless and uncompromising in his loyalty to 
duty, and as soldier and as citizen he honored the State and the 
Nation. 

Colonel Briggs, the ever cordial and courteous. 

Major Sproule, who of the entire Regiment all know and 
love brave, blunt, generous, big-hearted, honest Bob Sproul. 
His language was not always such as is used in the Bible 
class, yet his presence was ever an inspiration and a cheer. 
There was no loneliness when Bob was around. He was the 
storm center of every innocent deviltry and the life of every 
camp fire. 

Captain Lyon, our Quartermaster, a genial, jolly compan- 
ion, a careful and conscientious officer, ever vigilant in looking 
after the comfort and welfare of the Regiment, a quality that 
has since made him the Prince of Landlords. 



Another, Squire W heclei , oui Veterinary Surgeon, a quaint, 

comical Down East N ankee, and a great lovei o\ fine horses, I 

think of him without recalling an Incident that occurred 

while the trains of the arm} were packed foi a few days at 

White House Landing \. . the summer of L864, Wheeler 

was the owner of a beautiful chestnut, a large, thoroughbred, 

- ; animal, one of the finest horses in the entire army. 

\ \-\ . e\ crything \ i cai . W heeler loved and prized that 

\ • . i j name of Bingham was on detail at 

. v * x i i department acting as orderly, cook, or in 

i v u k e le was service He was somewhat of 

and trusty man. His one grcal 

appetit< esp< ri illy for fine, ripe fruit 

U was ud not far from the camp was an on 

cherries - si Bingham's mouth in 

v- v> atei ing ch< es I [ovi to get them v\ as a 

utside of camp on account of 

Rebels i • , . j Finally he prevailed upon a 

. >. i calk Sandy," to make a raid on 

i ( i lard, 5 sisto lemusl ..\ e a strong, 

idertaking King "Sandy" 

gr him stride of Wheek - 
grhbred, he s* e Scott 
eel< — . - mal and 

t sk . is signs c storms. 

Something was g x - ik« i 

- as tlw are cap- 

s v. easiness em kind of 

■ 

. . - ... .. efiiH 

aable 
-. i s h< i . s eyt 

> inft etit* cherriess fin 

such a frenxv of rast 



beard him will - E en ain, a 

pi onOtttK *-<\ i Fni i I once < hai/- 

regard to a certain hot place, foi he declared thai nothing 
but tin- genuine, old fashioned, orthodox Hell could ever turn 

ii< ii fury in ih. n I amp. 

01 1 time ards hoi e, bag and '■>■■■ 

ere the clo e oi the var in a Rebel pi i on Bingham I >o, long 
in' <• ard. It is jaid that his L 

i ;u tli ..;i . an >n;<< nt appeal to 
I never learned I 
.11 i; eedom again, he ne i 

There are other nann \ upon my lips, and other foi 
1 1 a up before me oul of the mi $1 of yeai I i 
mention them all, man; *n are no long 

Thei '■ ar< ( rrangei , Bre ei 
scores of others i »ble and • 

front of the battle gave up their young li 
the I ere they kne\* if the can e rould tri- 

umph or would fail. They reach to 1 andsofl< 

-hip from the near, upper ;ky, and many, oh! how rm 
left 11- ii. e ' var has ended and answer our calls no n 
We loved them all. They were our companion 
man) a field, shoulder to shoulder they stood with us thr 
many a trj ing hour. 1 lolier to us than 
kingly di the memories of our soldier dead. It was 

from out their blood and sacrifice, their suffering and their toil 
that a newer and grander Libert; pen the 

dungeon door, where barbarism, wrong, lust and crime 
centuries had chained the human soul, led out the panting and 
trembling victim- that had ' d and wronged, and 

lifted up their amazed and wondering : I and 

thanked i lim and them that they walked forth free men. 



77 




1883 



Lieutenant Henry DeGraff, 

215 Ontario St.. Toledo, Ohio. 
Born at New Paltz, Ulster County, N. Y., December 8th, 
1832 ; enlisted at Adrian, Lenawee County, Mich., December 

4th, 1862, as private in Co. , 7th Michigan Cavalry; was 

promoted to Regimental Commissary Sergeant September, 
1863, and to Second Lieutenant May 26th, 1865 ; not mustered; 
mustered out at Camp Collin, Colorado, November 7th, 1865, 

RECOLLECTIONS. 
By Lieutenant Henry DeGraff. 

After the battle of Gettysburg, and after we had somewhat 
recovered from the sorrow and horror of the loss in killed and 
wounded of our dear comrades, in following up Lee in his 



retreat to Robinson River we had it easy — no fighting, no hurry- 
ing to and fro, and plenty of rations and time to eat them, and 
do a little foraging besides. We all know that a cavalry sol- 
dier always "forages" for something to eat; no matter how 
well stocked he is with regular army rations, he wants some 
"sweet-meats." 

On the whole, I think at that time the Regiment was enjoy- 
ing life quite well. I know I was, for one. I had plenty of 
"hardtack and speck, and sugar and coffee" to issue to the 
boys. Coffee and hardtack were the "staff of life" in the army; 
and in addition, and in place of foraging, I went into the sutler 
business for a short time. Joe Harrison — all headquarters 
knew Joe — he was a friend of Colonel Mann's — Joe went to 
Washington, bought goods, and I sold them and pocketed the 
money, and had a good time. Joe got his share, however, if I 
remember rightly. 

We followed Lee up till he crossed Robinson River. About 
six miles before we reached the river, late one afternoon, we 
passed a mill-site, and Colonel Mann left me in charge, with 
ten men and a Sergeant, to hold it until further orders. Night 
was now upon us; pickets were posted, and we were alone to 
take care of ourselves. There was a grist mill, saw mill, 
wcolen mill, and blacksmith shop, and one house. I pitched 
my tent in the dooryard of the house and was invited into the 
house by a very nice young lady to take a "snack," and also to 
occupy a room ; the room I declined, with thanks, but the snack 
I accepted. It was line, good soft bread and butter, cream for 
coffee, cake and preserves, and really I thought it a pretty nice 
spread. I enjoyed the evening, then returned to my tent and 
blanket. In the morning when I wakened a camp fire was 
burning before my tent, and the smell of chicken cooking inter- 
ested me. 1 was soon washed and dressed, and took a stroll 
out to see what was going on. The grist mill, saw mill, woolen 
mill and blacksmith shop were all running full blast, and about 

79 



five men in the cornfield husking corn for dear life. Well, I 
thought this was business enough for one man. Anyway, we 
had about two thousand bushels of wheat in the mill, 
ground it all into flour, used it mostly in our Regiment, gave 
some to the poor families. We stayed there about three weeks, 
then went to the front with the Regiment and stayed there a 
few days, when General Lee turned our flank and it was a race 
for Washington again. We were rear guard, and when we 
got back as far as Brandy Station — well, you all remember that 
little "fuss" I guess, I know I do — and all I got for that day's 
work was a can of peaches. At evening just before we crossed 
the Rappahannock I found a "lone sutler;" that can of peaches 
was all he had. I bought and ate it, and was satisfied. The 
next day, back from the river a few miles, I saw the Pontoon 
Corps of the Army of the Potomac corraled; it was a great 
sight. 

Soldiers have a good deal of fun. I know I did in a quiet 
way. I often went on picket with Major Carpenter; always 
got honey — that is, "most always." Sometimes you got what 
you didn't want; but with Major Carpenter I always felt safe; 
would unsaddle, picket Jeff, my horse, and go to sleep. The 
Major will remember the morning we left Luray Valley and 
had to charge through the town and send on a flag of truce, 
as we were being fired upon by our own men. But I got two 
nice loaves of soft bread and some cherries, and got away, but 
it was a close call for me. They were "laying" for any Yank. 
Pretty girls, however, and were good entertainers. 

At Luray I lost my best friend, Lieutenant Carver. We 
got across the river and found that Custer had five Johnnies 
hanging to the limbs of one tree, in retaliation for shooting a 
Lieutenant in command of our advance guard, after he had 
surrendered to Mosby and his men when in ambush, so in 
retaliation General Custer hung five, killed three of Mosby's 
men and held one prisoner. 

SO 




1900. 
Dr. Marion A. Shaker, 

275 Lyon St., Grand Rapids, Mich. 
Born at Yates, Orleans County, N. Y., August 3d, 1838 ; 
enlisted at Grand Rapids, Kent County, Mich., December 10th, 

1862, as private in Co. "G," 7th Michigan Cavalry; was pro- 
moted to Hospital Steward January 21th, 1863, and to Assist- 
ant Surgeon May 28th, 1865, to rank as such from July 7th, 

1863, by order of Governor Henry H. Crapo; mustered out at 
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, November 7th, 1865, and honor- 
ably discharged. 

AN INCIDENT AT THE BATTLE OF TREVILIAN'S STATION. 
By Dr. Marion A. Shafer. 

This sketch includes two persons besides myself, viz., Dr. 
George R. Richards, Surgeon of the Regiment, and Private 
Arsnoe — it being only one of the many hair-breadth escapes of 
the day. 

81 



At daybreak on the morning of the 11th of June, 1864, at 
Trevilian's Station on the Virginia Central Railroad, General 
Sheridan with two divisions of cavalry, Gregg and Torberto, 
confronted Generals Hampton and Fitzhugh Lee and two 
divisions of cavalry located near the Station. General Cus- 
ter's Brigade, composed of the 1st, 5th, 6th and 7th Michigan 
Cavalry, was sent on a rapid march to reach the rear of the 
enemy's two divisions. General Custer, the moment he found 
himself in Hampton's rear, charged the lead horses, wagons, 
and caissons that he found there, getting hold of a vast number 
of each, and also the Station itself. In "Sheridan's Memoirs," 
Custer in his report says : "I was compelled to take up a posi- 
tion near the Station from which I could resist the attacks of 
the enemy which were now being made on my front, right, left, 
and rear." 

Sheridan, in his Memoirs, states that Custer was attacked 
by Rosser's brigade on one side and Fitzhugh Lee's division on 
the other. There then ensued a desperate struggle for the pos- 
session of the captured property, resulting finally in its being 
taken by the enemy. 

Notwithstanding the fact that Custer was fighting against 
great odds, he managed to take about five hundred prisoners. 

About 8 o'clock a. m., Arsnoe, who carried the medicine 
chest, Dr. Richards and myself started for the captured train 
to investigate the ambulances for medicine or other supplies, 
especially for something to eat, as we had been cheated out 
of our breakfast and had nothing for dinner, unless we could 
find it. We soon arrived at the rear of the train which was 
standing in the road just as it had been halted that morning. 
As we rode along we investigated as well as we could, but 
found nothing but a medicine chest containing only a small 
bottle of the oil of Cajuput. We felt that we were on unsafe 
ground, so concluded to return to the Regiment through the 
fields. Arsnoe dismounted and let down the bars and we passed 

82 



through. Being dismounted, Arsnoe had squatted down in the 
shade of the bar posts, as the day was getting warm. We told 
him to o-et on his horse, and an instant later the enemy dashed 
through yelling, "Surrender, you devils!" We heeded not 
their demand, though emphasized by a liberal amount of 
shooting, but put spurs to our horses, urging them on to their 
utmost speed, as the enemy was in hot pursuit. Dr. Richards 
had the lead and I was not far behind. Our course was over 
descending ground, and at the end of the descent some twenty 
rods ahead of us I could see a gulf, or dry creek bed, which lay 
directly across our path. If we could get over that I thought 
our chances for getting away were good. I could see Dr. 
Richards going straight for it. I sheered my horse so as to 
be a little distance below him, for I expected my horse to 
jump over, and if Dr. Richards failed I did not w r ant to jump 
on to him. We made the jump all right and escaped, as the 
pursuers halted at the ditch. 

Arsnoe was captured at the bars. If his first name was 
William, he died in Andersonville prison the following- Decem- 
ber. If it was Peter, he survived his imprisonment only a short 
time after the close of the war. 



83 










>*& 


A 


2 


A 





1893. 



1864. 

Wm. II. FlSHKR, 

Captain Co. "A." 

1046 Warren Ave. W., Detroit, Mich. 

Born at Mansfield, Ohio, August 22d, 1838; enlisted at 
Detroit, Mich., September 11th, 1862, as private in 7th Michi- 
gan Cavalry; was promoted to Sergeant of Co. "E," January 
24th, 1863, First Lieutenant August 1st, 1863, and to Captain 
of Co. "A" October 12th, 1864:; mustered out at Jackson, Mich., 
December 15th, 1865, and honorably discharged. 

FIRST AND ONLY TWO DAYS' PICKET DUTY 
DURING MY TERM OF SERVICE. 

By Captain W. H. Fisher. 

This may seem strange, but nevertheless true. The positions 
and duties of the different offices I filled during my term of 
service were exempt from picket duty, and had it not so hap- 
pened I think my term of service would have been cut short. 

86 



If there was any one duty that I was actually afraid of or 
detested that was 'Ticket Duty," especially at night. While 
you may not believe it, I was no nighthawk, not when it came 
to rambling around out in the fields and woods in the enemy's 
country, and alone at that. 

I returned to the Regiment on the 20th of February., 1864, 
having been on leave of absence for forty days in Michigan. On 
reporting to the Colonel for duty I expected to resume at once 
my position as Acting Adjutant of the Regiment, a position I 
was holding before I left for the visit to my home, but on account 
of there being no Officer present in command of my Company 
("E"), I was ordered to take command of it. I think it was 
the first morning after assuming charge of the Company that the 
Regiment was detailed for picket duty down on the Rapidan 
River. Companies "E" and "E," forming one battalion under 
command of Captain Carpenter, took charge of one part of the 
line, in fact, I do not remember after thirty-seven years where 
the balance of the Regiment was, but I presume it was on our 
right and left. We reached the outposts about 10 o'clock a. m. 
and at once relieved our friends who had been on duty for two 
days. Captain Carpenter, knowing I had been off duty for some 
time and not having been informed of my likes and dislikes of 
picket duties, ordered me to take charge of the picket line, or 
out-posts, in our front, which I, of course, was pleased to do, 
it being daytime, thinking that the night duty would fall on 
Lieutenant Dodge. Nothing of importance transpired during 
the day, so when night came on I came in to the reserve post, 
thinking I had the buidge on Lieutenant Dodge, anticipating a 
good night's sleep ahead of me, while poor Dodge would be 
dodging in and around the stumps and trees performing the 
duties as Officer on the out-posts. Soon after supper I curled 
myself up in my blanket, but had not laid there long when 
"Bang!" "Bang!" reached our ears from the out-post, and 
Captain Carpenter, being on the alert, soon had us all out and 

87 



in line, and ordered me to proceed at once to discover the cause 
of the firing. I naturally objected, supposing that Lieutenant 
Dodge was taking his turn, but to my surprise and disgust he 
was sick and unable to ride, and knowing well the consequence 
of failing to obey orders I at once proceeded to the front, and 
was not long in finding the soldier that had given us the scare, 
as I for one was more than alarmed, and it being my first appear- 
ance on the picket line, all sorts of imaginations passed through 
my mind. 

I think that was one of the longest nights of my army life. I 
do not believe I slept two hours all night, I remained at the out- 
post until morning and you may rest assured I cautioned each 
and every relief not to do any firing unless they were certain they 
saw or heard the enemy approaching his post. 

The next day and night passed without any molestation from 
the enemy, and when the time came we were duly relieved of our 
two days' "Picket Duty," my first and last, for when we returned 
to camp I was again detailed as Acting Adjutant of the 
Regiment. 

To me "Picket Duty" is the most lonesome, undesirable posi- 
tion any soldier can be assigned to, and still it is one of the most 
important places a soldier has to fill. 



88 




1864. 

Lucius Carver, 

Lieutenant Co. "A." 
Dead. 

Born at Marshfield, Plymouth County, Mass., March Oth. 
1840; enlisted at Boston, Suffolk County, Mass., November 
23rd, 1862, as Private in Co. "M," 7th Michigan Cavalry; 
promoted to Sergeant Major June, 1863, and to Second Lieu- 
tenant March 22nd, 1861; killed in action at Front Royal. 
Va., August 16th, 1861, ending the life and career of a brave, 
heroic soldier and a courteous and manly young man. His 
remains were buried on the field of battle near where he fell 
and after the war were removed to his old home, where they 
now rest. 



89 




1864. 



1901. 



Edwin R. Havens, 

Lieutenant Co. "A." 
Lansing, Mich. 

Born at Stafford, Genesee County, X. Y., May 25, 1S42; 
enlisted at Buchanan, Berrien County, Mich., September 12th, 
1862, as private (mustered as Sergeant) in Co. "A," 7th Mich- 
igan Cavalry; promoted to First Sergeant October 25th, 1863, 
and to Second Lieutenant May 25th, 1865; mustered out at 
Fort Leavenworth, Kan., December 15th, 1865; final muster 
out and discharge at Detroit, Mich., December 28th, 1865, and 
honorably discharged. 

HOW MOSBY DESTROYED OUR TRAIN. 
By Lieutenant E. R. Havens. 
Our President has been very persistent in reminding me of a 
rash promise that T made to him, to contribute something to the 

90 



collection of personal experiences during the years of our 
service, and has insisted upon the fulfillment of that promise. 

Lieutenant Isham, on page 19 of his History of the Regi- 
ment, begins a paragraph with the following sentence : 

"On the 29th of May, 1863, Mosby captured a train of cars 
near Carletts' Station by removing a rail." 

As I saw the capture referred to in the above sentence, and 
being connected with certain events immediately following this, 
and as I remember it, the first skirmish in which a considerable 
portion of our Regiment was engaged, I have chosen the same 
for this article. 

On the night of the 2Sth of May I was Sergeant of the 
Camp Guard, or picket around our camp, which, together with 
the First Vermont Cavalry, and a portion if not all of the 18th 
Pennsylvania Cavalary, we occupied at the bridge over Kettle 
Run, on the Orange & Alexandria Railroad, about two miles 
north of Warrenton Junction. My relief went on duty at twi- 
light. When I had posted my last picket in the road at the 
west of the railroad and north of the camp, and was on my way 
to the reserve I heard a shot from the picket last posted. 
The names of the men on picket were: James Barber, Zeph. 
Wisner, and Henry or "Hank" Allen, all of Co. "A." I hastened 
to Barber's post to ascertain the cause of the firing, and was 
informed that two men on horseback had approached him, and 
on being hailed had ridden away to the left without halting. 
and thinking their actions suspicious he fired at them as they 
rode away. His story was but just told when from Wisner s 
post another shot was fired. His story was identical with Bar- 
ber's, and was scarcely told when Allen's Burnside rang out 
on the night air. Hastening to his post, the same story was 
repeated, with the addition that as he fired his horse wheeled 
and started to run. but that he had soon brought it under con- 
trol, and that as he returned to his post he saw one horse gallop- 
ing away without a rider, while the rider on the other horse 

91 



seemed to be holding his comrade across his saddle and both 
srettinsf away. By this time it had become too dark to discern 
the tracks of horses or to satisfy myself that the dismounted 
rider has been wounded, as might have been indicated by discov- 
ering blood on the ground. 

During the remainder of my tour of duty that night I did not 
lack for excitement or work, as it kept me in the saddle almost 
the entire time riding from one post to another to ascertain the 
causes for the many shots that were fired. About 1 o'clock next 
morning I was relieved by the other Sergeant at the reserve, 
and he was ordered to take eight men and patrol the railroad 
in the direction of Warrenton Junction, as far as the woods, 
a distance of about one mile. These woods, you will remember, 
extended north from near the Junction, half a mile or more, 
and acted as a screen for Mosby's attacks more than once 
during our acquaintance with that section of the "Old Domin- 
ion." I relieved the other Sergeant the next morning and 
posted the same relief that I had the night before just as a train 
loaded with supplies reached our station from Washington. 
On my way back to the reserve I halted at Allen's post, and 
was inspecting the ground trying to discover traces of his vis- 
itors of the evening before, when the train started on for the 
stations south of us. I was watching it as it neared the woods 
above referred to, and saw the locomotive as it swerved from 
a direct course 011 striking a misplaced rail, and also saw the 
smoke and heard the report from the little cannon by which the 
engine was disabled, and the skirmish before the firing of the 
train, and the retreat of the guerrillas. Immediately the camp 
was in preparation for the pursuit, permission to join the same 
being refused me because of the duty on which I was then 
engaged, so that I cannot describe the pursuit, or the battle that 
followed upon their overtaking the guerrillas that resulted in 
the dispersion of the band for the time being, with the capture 
of the cannon and several prisoners. 

92 



Among the prisoners taken, and who was at the time acting 
as cannonier, was a Louisianian named Montjoy, who was 
credited with a reputation as spy, scout, desperado, and an all- 
around bad man. 

Scouting parties sent out that day captured other prisoners, 
so that we had under guard that night about thirty. The day 
following I was ordered to take a detail of several men from 
my Company and directed to report to Regimental headquarters 
for orders. On reporting I was directed to relieve the guard 
over the prisoners, and on arrival of the train for Washington, 
to remove the prisoners from the guard house to the train and 
escort them to Fairfax Court House, and turn them over to the 
Provost Marshal, and I was especially commanded to pay the 
strictest attention to the aforesaid Montjoy and to certainly 
deliver him at the Provost Marshal's headquarters, dead or 
alive. I did not fear an escape of any of the prisoners by day- 
light, but as the afternoon wore away I feared that night would 
overtake us before we could reach the Court House, as the 
three miles or more between the Station and the Court House 
must be made on foot, and I remembered one especially bad 
spot in the road where it passed through quite a deep cut, the 
sides and top of which were shaded by a heavy growth of 
timber, and you will all remember the darkness in that country 
at that season of the year was something impressive as well as 
oppressive, and it was at that point that I feared an attempt 
to escape would be made if made at all. 

Now I was young in military experience and felt the import- 
ance of the responsible position I was then occupying*. As it 
became dark I almost wished I was home, when I, picturing 
the desperate struggle that Montjoy would likely make to 
regain his freedom, and I could almost see myself a corpse by 
the roadside. But there was no way out of it and I was bound 
to make a bold face and bluff it out. As we neared the fateful 
spot I passed the word to my men in whispers, assigning to each 

93 



his post in front or at the sides of the column, retaining as my 
bodyguards two in whom I had confidence as to their courage 
and deyotion to duty, if not to myself, and placing the dreaded 
Mont joy in the rear of the column I took up my station by his 
side with my two guards. As we marched along the question 
came into my mind, what shall I do with my revolver, the only 
weapon that I carried. I first thought that I would carry it in 
my hand, cocked, and ready for action at the first move made 
by my prisoner to escape ; then I argued that if I did and he 
happened to want a revolver, he could get mine easier than he 
could stop to buy one, as I would be no match for him in a 
physical contest, and that if I tried to shoot him I would be 
just as apt to shoot someone else, but if I carried it securely 
fastened in its holster he could not get it so easily, and I would 
not be so apt to kill some of my own men ; so buttoning up my 
holster we marched along through the darkness, my nerves 
strained to the highest pitch and ready to break at every sound 
that was not clearly made by our marching feet. Never did 
anything look brighter to me than the lighter shadows of the 
night as we came out into more open country at the top of the 
hill without the loss of a prisoner or a life. The remainder of 
the march was without incident. I had found Captain Montjoy 
a very unassuming and sociable companion, and would enjoy 
meeting him to talk over the events of that clay and night and 
laugh with him over the terrible fright he gave me. 

On returning to camp next day, after dismissing my com- 
mand, I repaired to headquarters to make my report and deliver 
the receipt of the Provost Marshal for the prisoners placed in 
my care, and expecting to receive a "Well done, good and faith- 
ful servant," but Oh, what a fall was there! I was met by the 
Lieutenant-Colonel who, upon learning that I had taken away 
the prisoners the clay before, demanded to know why I did not 
kill him ; why I did not let somebody else kill him, etc. 

I finally found out that some unregenerate "Mushrat" with- 

94 



out the fear of that lake which is said to be the "Portion of all 
liars'' before him, had circulated the story that while trans- 
ferring the prisoners from the guard house to the train the 
dreaded Mont joy had attacked me, and tried to get my pistol; 
that he had me down on the ground and nearly dead before he 
could be overpowered, and that when one of my men had 
attempted to shoot him I had forbidden it, all of which had 
caused the good Colonel to feel very wroth towards the said 
Montjoy, and correspondingly so towards your humble servant. 




95 




1864 



1895 



Henry L. Anthony, 

Sergeant Co. "A." 
Sturgis, Mich. 

Born November 9th, 1843, at Bedford, Calhoun County, 
Mich. ; enlisted at Bedford, Calhoun County, State of Michigan, 
September 8th, 1862, as private in Co. "A," in the 7th Michigan 
Cavalry; was promoted to Commissary Sergeant October 24th, 
1804, and First Sergeant, June 17th, 1865, all of Co. "A" ; 
was wounded at Buckland Mills, Va., October 19th, 1863, and 
mustered out on December 15th, 1865, at Jackson, Mich., and 
honorably discharged. 

Comrade Anthony has succeeded as a man of business and 
high social prominence, having advanced to and holds the 
responsible position of Cashier of the National Bank of Sturgis, 
Mich. ; has been honored by the Masonic Fraternity of Mich- 
igan, having passed through all the grades of office in the Grand 
Commandery, serving as Grand Commander during 1894 and 
1895, and is now serving his third year as Grand Recorded. 
Such honors come to but few. 

96 



REMINISCENCE. 
By H. L. Anthony. 

Upon the urgent request of our President of the 7th Michi- 
gan Cavalry Association, I in an unguarded moment promised 
to write something for the "Facial History" of the members of 
the old 7th. After the swift flight of nearly forty years, when 
we were factors in suppressing an armed rebellion, it is ex- 
tremely difficult for one not accustomed to such work to give 
names, dates, places and events which served to make a per- 
sonal or Regimental history in those days, and doubly so when 
one's thoughts have been earnestly directed in other channels. 
As I look back through the dimness of memory's vision I do 
not recall any startling or especially blood-curdling incidents in 
my personal career as a soldier for "Uncle Sam." 

Regardless of what I may have thought in my earlier days, 
I have learned to know that the war might possibly have been 
conducted to a successful final had I not entered the army at all, 
still I know that the material and the mettle that composed the 
7th Cavalry was the equal of any Regiment from Michigan. 
In fact, they were the equal in every way of any Regiment in 
that great army that finally broke the back of the Rebellion. 
And now as the shadows begin to 1 lengthen toward the sunset of 
life and I look back upon the service rendered during those long 
and sacrificial years, I remember much that is worthy of our 
pride and glory and little for regret and insofar as any part that 
I bore in that service I have the satisfaction of knowing- that I 
always obeyed the call of my commanding officers to< any duty 
imposed upon me and was to the best of my ability faithfully 
performed. 

The men who composed my Regiment ought to be remem- 
bered by a grateful country as among those who made the 
names of Kilpatrick, Custer and Sheridan immortal and whose 
record for bravery and heroic service to their country will 
never die. 

97 




1863. I90i. 

R. Marshall Bellinger, 

Sergeant Co. "A." 
54 Rose St., Battle Creek, Mich. 

Born in Barry County, Mich., August 4th, 1845 ; enlisted at 
Battle Creek, Mich., September 15th, 18G2, as Private in Co. 
"A," 7th Michigan Cavalry; promoted to Sergeant June 28th, 
1864; mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, December 
15th, 1865, and honorably discharged, after participating in 36 
engagements. 

INCIDENTS OF THE CAMPAIGN OF 1864. 
By R. Marshall Bellinger. 
At the Battle of Yellow Tavern, May 11th, 1864, our Regi- 
ment was ordered to charge up a hill by column of fours 

98 



through a cut, but meeting with such fierce resistance the cut 
soon became so blocked with dead men and horses that further 
advance was impossible, and we were then ordered to dismount 
and fight on foot. As we charged up the hill and through the 
timber we came to a cleared field. Comrades Adams, Burk and 
myself of Co. "A" were together; "there might have been 
others with us, but do not remember." To our right and front 
we could see what I took to be the 1st Michigan Cavalry charg- 
ing mounted Rebels ; to our left on a hill about twenty-five 
rods from us was a group of Confederate officers mounted and 
standing still, displaying a fine battle flag. Adams said, "Let's 
go for that flag," and suiting the action to the suggestion, 
started to climb the fence,; I pulled him back, saying, "We can 
reach them from here," and taking aim across the fence I fired. 
An officer fell forward on his horse, others of the group took 
hold of him and immediately rode to the rear over the hill out 
of sight, Adams remarking, "You have winged one of them." 
There has been much speculation as to who shot the Rebel 
General Jeb. Stuart, who was wounded that day, dying the 
next. The 1st Vermont, 5th and 7th Michigan all have claim- 
ants. If General Stuart was shot with a revolver bullet or by a 
mounted soldier, I have no claim, but if he was shot with a 
carbine bullet while mounted and standing with the group with 
the battle flag, I have every reason to believe that my bullet did 
the work, as it certainly hit some officer, be it honor, murder, 
or whatever it may be called. 

At the Battle of Smithfield, August, 1864, Co. "A" was 
thrown across the river, "I think the Opequon," through a cov- 
ered bridge ; advancing about eighty rods we were deployed on 
a ridge parallel with the river. I was on the extreme left of 
the line and the country to my left and front was open, on my 
right and front, timber. I soon heard a bullet zip by, but could 
not see where it came from. I soon saw a puff of smoke from a 
tree top about forty rods in front of me, and a bullet struck the 
LoFC. 

99 



ground about four feet to my left. Dismounting and laying my 
carbine across my saddle, I fired. The next bullet from my 
friend struck the ground at my feet, the next hit my horse, in- 
flicting only a slight wound. We exchanged six or seven shots 
when I saw my Confederate friend slide down the tree and hos- 
tilities ceased. As I was a very good shot and my Confederate 
friend certainly was, I rather enjoyed the scrap and paid little 
attention to the rest of the line. Hearing rapid firing on my 
right, I mounted and looking to the right and rear I saw our 
men just entering the bridge and a number of Confederates 
right on their heels. I made straight for the river, about thirty 
rods below the bridge, when five or six Rebels started to head 
me off, firing their revolvers and yelling, "Surrender, you 
Yank!" On nearing the river I saw that the bank was about 
four feet above the water, so throwing my feet out of the 
stirrups and giving my horse both spurs, he made a great leap 
into the river, landing in deep water and pulling for the other 
bank, which was low. As I rode out the Rebels on the opposite 
bank were still firing their revolvers at me, so I gave them one 
parting shot, not stopping to see where my bullet went, but 
rode up the hill and joined the Regiment, dripping wet. 

Adjutant Charlie Pratt, formerly of Co. "A," said: "I want 
to congratulate you on your escape; I watched your race for 
the river and remarked to the Colonel that you were a goner this 
time and it looked that way to me for a time." 

In October, 1864, Sheridan's Army lay stretched across the 
Shenandoah Valley on the north bank of Cedar Creek facing 
south. On the night of the 18th our Regiment was detailed 
for picket on the right flank. After posting our pickets well in 
front on the south side of the Creek, we went into camp on a 
hillside on the north bank. After eating our supper and feed- 
ing our horses, everything being quiet, we went to sleep, leaving 
our horses saddled and bridled. During the night the Rebel 
Infantry quietly stole through our picket line in front of our 

100 



Infantry, marched along the bank of Cedar Creek between the 
picket line and our army and created no disturbance until they 
struck the camp of the 7th Michigan Cavalry. 

The first thing I heard was a volley of musketry at close 
range and the zipping of bullets. Every one was on their feet 
and mounting their horse in a moment ; officers were shouting 
for their companies to fall in ; evidently the order was under- 
stood for us to fall back, as everybody broke for the rear. It 
was just at daybreak, but so foggy we could see little but could 
hear a good deal. We were in a pocket formed by a high bluff 
on the west, a board fence on the north, and the Rebels on the 
south and east. There was a narrow gap in the fence near the 
bluff and all seemed anxious to be the first one through it. I was 
riding a horse at that time known as "Dan Rice," on account 
of his circus performing habits, which consisted of his balking 
or standing still and kicking when first mounted. Whether he 
thought he would show more courage than the men and stand 
his ground and kick the Rebels back into the Creek or what, I 
never knew, but he stood still and kicked, and the more I 
spurred him the higher he kicked. The Rebels were getting 
very close for I could hear their voices very plainly as one said, 
"There is a good horse, Sam, catch him." I do not know 
whether he meant my horse or not, but do not think Sam would 
have dared gotten near enough to Dan to catch him while he 
was kicking. All this time the Rebels were advancing and 
firing; bullets went zipping past me, and it seemed to me that 
every one of them hit the fence near me. "I can almost hear 
them now, over thirty-seven years later." The thoughts of 
Andersonville made the situation desperate, and having my car- 
bine in my hand I struck Dan on the head which knocked him 
down. I stuck to the saddle and when he regained his feet he 
was ready to go, and so was I. Riding through the gap, I cir- 
cled to the right and soon found the Regiment in line on higher 
and more open ground, actively taking part in the great battle 
which has gone down in history as the Battle of Cedar Creek. 

101 




1896. 
Ray T. Streeter, 

Corporal Co. "A." 
Marcellus, Cass Co., Mich. 



Born May 28th, 1846, at Emmett, Calhoun County, Mich.; 
enlisted at Battle Creek, Calhoun County, Mich., November 
15th, 1862, as private in Co. "A," 7th Michigan Cavalry; was 
promoted to Corporal, 1865; was mustered out at Fort Leaven- 
worth, Kan., December, 1865, and honorably discharged. 

INSIDE THE REBEL LINES AND NOT CAPTURED. 
By Ray T. Strectcr. 

At Buckland Mills, October 19th, 1863, our Regiment was: 
sent into the woods as skirmishers, the woods being dense, wi 
could only see a little ways in any direction. I was the last 
man on the left of Co. "A," and do not think that there were 

102 



any other troops at my left. The Rebels were quite thick in our 
front and the bullets came through the brush lively. We had 
been on this line for some time when on looking around I could 
not see any of our boys — they had been recalled and I did not 
know it. 

I immediately started in the direction that I supposed they 
had gone, but got tangled in the thick brush, and had to get 
off my horse and lead him. I finally got out in the open, but 
could not see any of our men, so started for the pike and struck 
it a short distance from the bridge. When I got on the pike 
I could see the bridge, and on the bridge and beyond it I could 
see lots of Rebels. I crossed the pike and started up the stream, 
thinking that I could find a place to cross. For some distance 
up the stream the ground was quite low. A hundred rods or 
so from the pike the high land came clown to the stream, making 
a sort of promontory. Farther up the stream I could see a 
crossing place, in which was a wagon and an ambulance or two 
with the Rebels all around them. At this instant I heard some- 
one yell "Surrender !" and looking around saw a dozen Rebel 
Cavalry coming down the ridge ; turned my horse down around 
the point to the stream — the bank was fully six feet high — but 
my horse took the jump and landed in the water pretty nearly 
all over. Fortune favored me, for the bank on the opposite 
side was low, and the horse had no trouble getting out. While 
we were still in the stream the Rebels rode onto the point of the 
ridge and commenced to shoot at me and yell at me to halt. It 
was only a couple of rods from the edge of the stream to the 
thick brush, and as soon as I got into it I was all right. It was 
only a narrow strip of woods ; then I came out into a big field. 
In front of me and nearly in the middle of the field a Regiment 
of Rebel Cavalry was crossing. I turned to the left, followed 
the edge of the field to another piece of woods and went into 
them. Passing through them and still keeping to the left I 
came out onto a large plantation. Off to the right was a house, 

103 



and near il was our troops, as J. could see by their uniforms. 
I started for them, but had gone only a rod or so when I saw 
the Rebel Regiment that I had seen in the field come out into the 
open ground, form in squadrons and charged our men that 
were near the house, and they had a regular mix-up. I did not 
stop to look on but sheared further lo the left, making good 
time going about half a mile, when I came to a line of our 
Infantry with battery in position. 

You may be assured I was glad to see them. I tell you they 
looked good. I soon joined our Regiment, and felt very grate- 
ful that I was on my way to Richmond. 







104 




1900.. 
Oscar I. Hunt, 

Corporal Co. "A." 
Sumner, Gratiot County, Mich. 

Born November 15, 1844, at Brookland, Lenawee Co., 
Mich. ; enlisted at Battle Creek, Calhoun Co., Mich., September 
10, 1862, as Private in Co. "A,*' 7th Michigan Cavalry; was 
promoted to Corporal May 1, 1865; was mustered out at Jack- 
son, Mich., December 15, 1865, and honorably discharged. 

OUR FIRST MARCH FROM WASHINGTON TO FAIRFAX. 
By Oscar I. Hunt. 

I shall never forget our first crossing the long bridge and 
then the slimy slump of the horses' feet in the mud as we enjoyed 
the midnight scenery. We arrived at Fairfax about sunrise, 

105 



and pitched our dog tents in the mud and the beautiful blanket 
of snow. That night Major Huston came around with his key. 
Of course it was not a door key — the boys called it whiskey. 

All at once we heard the order, Hark, Mosby, Mosby hurry 
up, for God's sake men, hurry up. We all rushed to horse and 
after taking a little ride got to camp, but Mosby was like Pat's 
flee, he was not there ; at any rate we did not get our fingers on 
him or our eyes either, so we bid farewell to the old cuss and 
went back to quarters — it was only a false alarm. 

In snow, water and mud we made a bed ; our blankets were 
soft, if they were wet and cold. 




106 




1865. 1901. 

John Lindsey MacDonald, 

Co. "A." 
Scriven, Minn. 

Born at Rochester, Monroe County, N. Y., March 20th, 
1849; enlisted at Flint, Genesee County, Mich., Feb. 18th, 
1865, as Private in Co. "A," 7th Michigan Cavalry; mus- 
tered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, December 15th, 1865, 
and honorably discharged. 



107 



REMINISCENCE. 
By J. L. MacDonald. 

In March, 1865, I was one of a squad sent into Loudon 
Valley, Va., to capture some Rebel officers that were reported 
to be at Leesburg. We reached there at night and made a 
capture of a few prisoners. 

The next morning we started on our return to Harper's 
Ferry. Comrade Hammond of Co. "A" and myself decided to 
make a tour of inspection on our own account; we had not 
gone more than two miles when we saw a Rebel officer com- 
ing toward us finely mounted. We wanted him and horse; 
he anticipating our intention rode up to a large farm house, 
dismounted and entered in great haste. We dismounted, 
keeping our horses between us and the house and succeeded 
in reaching his horse and leading him off. We had not gone 
far when several shots were fired after us, but we kept on our 
course until we came to a cross-road, where we met a colored 
woman who informed us that Mosby's men, under command 
of Captain White, were in pursuit of our detachment. We 
put spurs to our horses and were soon at the bridge near 
Waterford. There we met a young Quaker lady whom we 
knew and who informed us that Mosby's men were in pos- 
session of the town and entreated us not to go through, but 
there was no other way for us to go. We could see through 
a thin fringe of trees that lay between us and the town of one 
street, several men moving about. We decided to take a des- 
perate chance and dash through by forcing our horses to their 
greatest speed and firing our carbines as we went. Every- 
body got off the street for us, but as soon as they recovered 
from their surprise several volleys were fired after us. On 
looking back we saw mounted men after us and a desperate 
race was kept up for a few miles, when they gave up the 
chase and we soon reached Harper's Ferry. The Provost 
General on learning of the fine horse we had captured ordered 

108 



his guards to take him from us, notwithstanding my protest 
and the risk we had incurred to possess him. 

On July 5th, 1865, our Regiment broke camp on the Big 
Blue River in Kansas. We began our march about three 
o'clock in the morning, as we had to reach Fort Kearney on 
the Platte River, which was nearly forty miles ahead of us, 
before we could go into camp again, as there was no water for 
ourselves or horses until we reached the Platte. 

The day was extremely hot and our canteens were soon 
empty ; we rode all day in that terrible heat and our sufferings 
and thirst became unbearable. About three p. m. we came 
to a ranch where there was a well and my Company broke 
ranks for it. I was one of the first to reach it, and in lower- 
ing the bucket it got caught on some timbers. I got on the 
rope to go down and unfasten it while comrades held the 
windlass. I had gone down but a few feet when the rope 
broke, letting me fall to the bottom, a distance of over one 
hundred feet. There was only about two feet of water. I 
was unconscious for a time, but the cold water no doubt 
brought me too, when I discovered that my comrades had 
lowered a rope which I tied around me and was hauled up 
and assisted to mount my horse; I rode with great difficulty 
to camp, and suffered for many days after. 

In about a week after the accident we reached Julesburg, 
Colo. Ter., where on a very dark night I was put on picket. 
Was relieved at midnight and went to my quarters and WdS 
soon fast asleep, but was soon disturbed by firing from the 
picket and the hurried command to fall in. In my crippled- 
condition I was prevented from moving fast and could not 
find my carbine, my Company was in line and I becoming 
desperate drew my sabre and took my place. The darkness 
prevented the officers knowing my sad predicament, so I es- 
caped censure. 

In August, 1865, I was one of a detail of eight men sent 

109 



to guard a supply train from Fort Halleck to Bridgers Pass, 
Wyoming. 

On our return trip we had just gotten through Rattle 
Snake Pass when we noticed a cloud of dust rising to our 
right, which we concluded was caused by a herd of buffalos 
moving in that direction. We had gone but a few miles 
when we discovered our mistake, as we now realized that a 
large band of warriors were aiming to intercept us before we 
could reach Fort Halleck. We urged our horses to their ut- 
most speed, but the Indians were fast gaining on us. My 
horse began to give out and I was falling to the rear and the 
Indians coming nearer every moment. It began to look hope- 
less for me, but I pushed on and reached the top of a ridge 
in view of the Fort, about a mile away, which gave me cour- 
age and my horse seemed to be inspired by my feelings and 
plunged forward as if he had received new life; in a few 
minutes I was quite near the Fort and safe. 




110 




1863. 
Elliott Gray, 

Lieutenant Co. "B." 
Dead. 

Born at Tecumseh, Lenawee County, Mich., May 22nd, 
1833; enlisted at Tecumseh, Lenawee County, Mich., Sep- 
tember 4th, 1862, as Private in Co. "B," 7th Michigan Cav- 
alry; promoted to First Lieutenant October 15th, 1862, and 
served on General Custer's Staff eighteen months; wounded 
in action at Williamsport, Md., July 8th, 1863 ; resigned 
February 28th, 1865, at Washington, D. C, and honorably 
discharged; died March 22nd, 1899, at Tecumseh, Mich. 



112 




1900. 
Henry F. Thomas, 

Lieutenant Co. "B." 
Allegan, Mich. 

Born at Tompkins, Jackson County, Mich., December 17th, 
1843 ; enlisted at Eaton Rapids, Eaton County, Mich., August 
7th, 1862, as private in Co. "D," 7th Michigan Cavalry; pro- 
moted to Sergeant, Co. "D," December 15th, 1862; First Ser- 
geant, Co. "D," May 1st, 1863 ; Second Lieutenant, Co. "B," 
July 31st, 1864; mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, 
December 15th, 1865, and honorably discharged. 



u; 




i86 3 . 



1900. 



Dr. AdelbErt H. Weston, 

Sergeant Co. "B," 
330 Colorado Ave., Colorado City, Col. 

Born in Watertown Township, Clinton Comity, Mich., Janu- 
ary 30th, 1842; enlisted at Maple Rapids, Clinton County, 
Mich., October 20th, 1862, as Private in Co. "B," 7th Michi- 
gan Cavalry; promoted to Corporal and a short time after to 
Sergeant, was promoted to Hospital Steward in June, 1865; 
mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, December 12th, 
1865, and honorably discharged. 



114 



A SHOCK. 
By A. H. Weston. 

At the Battle of the Wilderness, May 6th and 7th, 1864, as 
all our boys in that battle will remember, in the first charge our 
Regiment made there, we went in in rear of the Regiment in 
front. When we returned and were reforming, a piece of shell 
struck the ground in front of where I was, bounded, and hit my 
left arm between elbow and shoulder, numbing it ; I remarked 
to some of the boys, "I guess I am cropped." At about the 
same time my right hand comrade was shot through the hand 
and Sergeant Gregg ordered us both back under cover. We 
dismounted and retired, and as each of us had one hand to use, 
we wet his handkerchief and tied up his hand, then turned at- 
tention to my arm, which we found only had a big bruise on it. 
I can assure you it was an agreeable surprise to find that my lefi 
arm was still left intact and all right. I was soon in saddle and 
back in my place. 



115 




1863. 



1902. 



Wm. Edward House, 



Corporal Co. "B." 
108 Portage St., Kalamazoo, Mich. 

Born at Gaines, Orleans Comity, N. Y., December 21st, 
1844; enlisted at Tecumseh, Lenawee Comity, Mich., Septem- 
ber 29th, 1862, as Private in Co. "B," 7th Michigan Cavalry; 
promoted to Corporal May 1st, 1865; mustered out at Fort 
Leavenworth, Kansas, December 15th, 1865, and honorably 
discharged. 



116 



IN SHENANDOAH VALLEY, 1864. 
By Wm. Edward House. 

In 1864 while our Regiment was marching near Berry ville 
in the Shenandoah Valley, the Rebs opened a battery on us, the 
first shell went over our heads and burst about sixty feet be- 
yond us, then the Colonel gave the command "Halt!" I knew 
I was in range of their guns and hardly had time to think 
when another shell burst right in our ranks, killing our bugler, 
wounding several and causing my horse and four others to go 
down in a heap. I was not hit, but my horse got a piece of 
shell through the neck and fell so quickly that my foot was 
caught under him ; I could not get out and called for help, and 
the Orderly Sergeant of my Company came and helped me, 
which saved me from being captured. I left blankets, over- 
coat, haversack and horse for the Rebs, only saving my Spen- 
cer and ammunition, nevertheless the Johnnies gave me a part- 
ing shot as I went over the hill and out of their sight. Being 
dismounted I was in a bad condition, as I could not keep up 
with the Regiment, so remained back with an Infantry Regi- 
ment that night. The next morning I came across another 
Cavalry man who had lost his horse and we decided to go to 
the Dismounted Camp, which was twenty miles away through 
a country where we were liable to meet and be captured by 
Mosby's men. We saw where they had camped that night and 
met an old man, who said he thought we were taking desperate 
chances. We marched right through Charlestown as brave as 
lions, men on the hotel steps got out of sight as soon as they 
saw us coming, but I have often thought they would have cap- 
tured or killed us had they known we were alone. Before 
leaving the town we called at a house and ordered something to 
eat. The old darkey cook was badly frightened ; she gave us 
half a chicken pie which was good and it did not take us long 
to get outside of it. She said, "May" the good Lord save and 
protect you, massa." We continued our march, passing 

117 



through a small settlement, and when darkness came on went 
into an old blacksmith shop and remained there all night; 
starting early the next morning we soon came to our outpick- 
ets. They thought we were deserters and sent us under escort 
to Headquarters, where we were soon identified and given 
quarters. We remained there two weeks, then drew horses 
and returned to our Regiment. The command was just ready 
for the Sheppardstown Raid and in less than two hours I was 
where the bullets were flying like hail. We got into very hot 
quarters and were glad to get out, as they gave us a very warm 
reception. 

To me the most vivid recollection of the War of the Rebel- 
lion was the Battle of Cedar Creek, October 19th, 1864. 

I believe the entire Regiment was on duty that eventful 
night. I was on picket the forepart of the night, being relieved 
at midnight and went to reserve camp, made some coffee and 
then rolled up in my blankets and went to sleep. I do not know 
how long I had been sleeping when I dreamed that I heard the 
pickets firing. It was so real that it wakened me and I got up 
and bridled my horse; in a minute I heard three shots, then T 
was sure there was danger, so wakened those who were still 
sleeping. While most of them got up, others did not, and 
said, ''Oh, it is only a false alarm." Billy Kemp and I stood 
with our hands on our saddles ready to mount when all at 
once we heard the order, "Forward, charge !" and saw a streak 
of fire which almost encircled us. I saw at once that the creek 
was our only escape, so Billy and I took the lead, his horse 
pushing down the lane fence that led to the creek. There 
were bluffs along the creek about fifteen or twenty feet high and 
a path ran down the bank, so we had to go single file. We had 
not gone far when we saw a line of men on the bluff ready to 
receive us, so we put spurs to our horses, and when we got 
opposite of them they fired a volley, but as it was quite dark 
their aim being poor, only one man was hit and he in the 

US 



arm. We moved about one hundred rods and then up the 
hill, halted, counted up, and found we had one officer and ten 
men, the officer being Captain Sergeant ; my impression is that 
it was about three o'clock in the morning. We soon heard the 
Rebels coming and could hear the officers giving orders in 
their effort to capture the Infantry Reserve, but the Reserve 
being ready for them waited until the advance got within about 
ten rods when they gave the Rebs a volley which staggered 
them and they broke and ran. They rallied and came back the 
second time, got the same dose, and retired. We waited until 
daybreak, when we heard the attack on the main line, then we 
started for the fray. We had no idea what had become of 
the rest of our Regiment, so we reported to a command of 
Cavalry and were assigned as reserve to a battery, and a hot 
place it was. We could see the Army retreating, running like a 
flock of sheep, except the 6th Corps, who held and stood to- 
gether and fought like tigers. Then came the conquering 
hero, General Sheridan, and what a change. The men began 
yelling and throwing up their hats and the Rebels thought we 
had received reinforcements, so stopped firing and began te 
prepare for defense; then the tide turned and everyone knows 
the result. I know I slept in my old camp that night, but if 1 
remember rightly there were only eight of the eleven camped 
together that night. 

At daybreak on the morning that Lee surrendered, "April 
9th, 1865," having been on the skirmish line all night, I thought 
I would have time to make some coffee, but just as a fire was 
started the pickets came running in and said, "Lee's Army is 
advancing." We were ordered to mount and double quick 
around a piece of woods, drew up in line and dismounted and 
fought on foot, every fourth man holding the horses. When 
I dismounted I missed my cartridge box. I went to the Cap- 
tain and reported to him that I had left my cartridge box on 
the other side of the woods ; he said, "It isn't over forty rods 

119 



through the woods, better try and get it." I was anxious to 
have the cartridge box, for it was one I had captured from a 
Rebel. I got it all right and had just buckled it on when I 
heard some one yell, "Surrender, you Yank !" Looking around 
and seeing a number of Rebs with their guns at their shoulders 
covering me, I thought of the losing of the $60.00 in my pocket 
and my clothes, and at the same time noticed a large tree just 
in front. I felt impelled to jump behind it. Guess it was the 
quickest move I ever made in my life and as I reached it they 
fired a volley but never touched me; then I ran like a deer 
through the woods, they firing at me until I got nearly through. 
When I got back to where I left my Company they were out of 
sight, but found a pony there, mounted him, but he began 
bucking, so I dismounted and started on the trail of my Com- 
pany; had not gone far when someone to my left said, "Where 
you going?" I motioned to him to keep quiet, and I sneaked 
along just as though I was after someone, and it worked all 
right. He was one of the Rebel line on the bluff not more than 
twenty rods away. I soon rounded the end of the bluff, out of 
their sight and in sight of our lines. I soon saw General Cus- 
ter and Staff ride out to meet a flag of truce, then I felt safe 
and made good time and was soon with my Company, they 
supposing I had been captured. Very soon General Grant's 
Staff met General Lee and the Rebels all along the line were 
throwing up their hats and cheering, and soon we were all 
together shaking hands and rejoicing, for we all knew the war 
was over. 



120 




1st, 1843; en- 
August llthu 



1863. 1901 

Bartholomew Griffin, 

Quartermaster Sergeant Co. "C." 
Carrollton, Saginaw Co., Mich. 

Born at City of Ottawa, Ont., March 
listed at Saginaw, Saginaw County, Mich 
1802, as Private in Co. "C," 7th Michigan Cavalry; was pro- 
moted to Corporal, 1862, and to Quarter-Master Sergeant of 
Co. "C," January 15th, 1865; was taken prisoner at Robinson 
River, Va., October 9th, 1863, and was taken to Libby Prison, 
Pemberton Castle and Belle Isle, Va., for five months, was in 
Andersonville, Ga., seven months, escaped from there January 
1865, and was mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., Octo- 
ber 20th, 1865, and was honorably discharged. 



122 



< 




\ 


© 


i 









1900. 



James Smith, 

Commissary Sergeant Co. "C." 
New Lothrop, Mich. 

Born May 2nd, 1835, at Mansfield, Richland County, Ohio; 
enlisted at Flushing;, Genesee County, Mich., October 3rd, 
1862, as Private in Co. "C," 7th Michigan Cavalry; was pro- 
moted to Corporal in 1863 and to Commissary Sergeant July, 
1865; was mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., December 
15, 1865, and honorably discharged. 




1895. 



David B. Rose, 

Sergeant Co. "C." 
Reese, Tuscola Co., Mich. 

Born August 10, 1827, in Ulster County, N. Y. ; enlisted at 
Junietta, Tuscola County, Mich., September 10th, 1862, as 
Private in the Co. "C," 7th Michigan Cavalry; was promoted 
to Corporal in Co. "C" in the fall of 1862, and made First 
Sergeant in Co. U C" in November of 1863 ; was wounded at the 
Battle of Gettysburg on July 3rd, 1863, being shot in the shoul- 
der and remained in the hospital until November; was captured 
at Trevilian's Station, Va., June 11th, 1864; was in prison 
about ten months, being taken to Libby, thence to Millen, 
Savannah, and Thomasville, Ga., thence to Andersonville, and 
from there was exchanged and honorably discharged at De- 
troit, Mich., August 12th, 1865. 



124 



MAJOR GRANGER'S DEATH. 
By David B. Rose. 

I was looking over the history of our Regiment this morn- 
ing and came across the account of Major Granger's death. 
This suggested to me that I write my version of his death. 

The Major was not shot full of holes, but as I remember, 
only two bullet holes marred his body, a saber cut over his eye 
and one in the left breast near the heart. 

You ask how I know this. I was the man that found the 
Major dead on the field, lying, perhaps, one hundred rods from 
the cut in the road where my Company made a charge and 
was forced to retreat down the hill into a woods, where we dis- 
mounted. Just at this time Lieutenant Birney ordered me to 
take the dismounted men and horses to the rear. I told him that 
I was going with the boys to the front, and I did, after obeying 
Lieutenant Birney' s next order, which was to send the men back 
under a competent man. 

When I got on the hill, through the cut I saw our Regiment 
far to the left, and front, still after the Rebels. On my right lay 
a large field free from all obstruction. On this field I saw a 
black object lying. I wondered what it was so far from the 
track taken by the combatants, and decided to investigate. I 
hastened to the spot and found, as I feared, a dead soldier. Dis- 
mounted, and found that it was our loved Major, still and cold in 
death. 

Yes, Major Granger lay dead before me. Soon two horse- 
men came galloping up to where I was. The first thing they said 
was, "Who is that, Sergeant?" "It is Major Granger," I re- 
plied. "Major Granger, my God! is that so?" "Yes, it is so." 
The Surgeon told me to give it to him and he would give it to 
other, an Officer of our Regiment, name not remembered. They 
then told me to examine the pockets. I did and found that they 
had been searched and nothing left but a short piece of comb. 
The two riders were Assistant Surgeon Dr. G. R. Richards, the 

125 



the Major's wife. Before leaving me, I asked them what I 
should do, they told me to get men enough to carry the Major 
to the rear near Yellow Tavern, and guard his remains until 
further orders. Again, I was left alone, but stragglers began 
to come within sight, giving me hope to soon get away with my 
charge,, but before I did I had another visitor, who rode up all 
alone, asking the same question as did the others who had just 
left me. The Officer was none other than General Custer him- 
self. My answer to him was Major Granger. He exclaimed, 
"My God, is Granger dead ; can it be !" He wanted to see his 
face and where he had been wounded. I uncovered the dead 
face, pointed to a wound over the left eye, then bared his breast 
and showed him a wound near the heart, this one made by a 
bullet. The one over the eye was a saber wound. The General 
believed the Major had been murdered as did the other Officers, 
and seemed to feel badly over the sad affair. He was not afraid 
to talk, even though he was only talking to a Sergeant, and this 
is what he said : 

"1 sat just where I could see every move made by the Major 
at the time of the charge, and I never saw a man go more gal- 
lantry about the work before him than he did. He was a splen- 
did man ; too bad, too bad." 

As he left me he gave me the same orders about taking care 
of the remains as did the other Officers, which I can assure you 
was most faithfully obeyed When the General left me I sup- 
posed that this would be the last that I would see of him, but I 
was mistaken, for before I got enough men together to carry 
such a heavy man as the Major was, General Custer with his 
whole staff rode up to take a last look at the noble dead. 

The General had been superintending planting a battery to 
play on the Rebs near by. As he rode up he said, "Sergeant, I 
am back again; please let these gentlemen see the Major." 
Again I uncovered his face and every one drew up to his side 
and took a long, last look. All spoke words of praise, and re- 

126 



gretted the great loss we had sustained in his death. 

While yet the Officers were viewing the dead a rifle shot or 
shell came most uncomfortably close to us, upon which one of 
the Staff Officers rode up to the General and said, "General, our 
flag is too conspicuous, the Rebs have got our range. What 
shall be done?" "Let the flag retire," which it did and the Staff 
was not driven away, but retired when it suited them. 

On leaving the General said, "Sergeant, don't forget the 
orders I have given you," and I was left in charge of the dead 
again, but soon got men enough and left for the rear to obey the 
first and the last order I ever had the honor of receiving from 
the gallant Custer. 

They were faithfully obeyed, 1 can assure you, and the 
Major was buried where history states. 




12: 




1863. 1899. 

Wm. Glover Gage, 

Corporal Co. "C." 
Saginaw, E. S., Mich. 

Born April 11th, 1817, at Italy Hill, Yates County, N. Y. ; 
enlisted at East Saginaw, Saginaw County, Mich., August 1st, 
1862, as Private in Co. "C," 7th Michigan Cavalry; was mus- 
tered as Corporal, Acting Sergeant and Quartermaster-Ser- 
geant of Company most of time; was taken prisoner at Gettys- 
burg, Pa., July 3d, 1863, paroled about August 6th, 1863, at 
Richmond, Va., sent to Annapolis, Md., and returned to Regi- 
ment without exchange September, 1863 (was in Eibby Prison 
the last few days, before that in prison at Stanton, Va.) ; was 
mustered out at East Saginaw, Mich., March 17th, 1865, and 
honorably discharged. 



128 



RECONNAISSANCE AROUND WARRENTON JUNCTION, VA. 

By William Glover Gage. 

When our Regiment was stationed at Warrenton Junction, 
in the spring of 1863, it was ordered out one day for a ride we 
knew not where. After proceeding some distance the Regiment 
was divided into two detachments which took different routes. 
Our detachment proceeded along a well travelled highway in a 
northwesterly direction for some distance, when a Sergeant and 
some ten or twelve men were detached from our Company and 
directed to follow a country cross-road, no one but the Sergeant 
knew whither. 

Frequent skirmishes with the members of the redoubtable 
Mosby's Command had taught us to expect an enemy to fire at 
us from any bush or fence corner on the road, and we were 
careful to keep a good lookout for Rebs. As soon as the Ser- 
geant started on the by-road a Corporal was sent some 200 
yards ahead to act as advanced guard. 

We had not proceeded far on this road before the Corporal 
recognized it as a road to the Marstellis or Marcellis farm-house 
of which we had visited on other occasions. 

No unusual incident occurred until our advance reached the 
brow of a hill some 800 or 1,000 yards from the grove which 
surrounded the Marstellis Mansion, in true old Virginian style. 

This hill was perhaps forty or fifty feet above the valley 
below, and the road by which we were approaching the house 
dropped into this valley and ran along a level stretch and then 
gradually rose to the elevation upon which the house was situ- 
ated, and was in full view from the grove surrounding the 
buildings. 

From our point of vantage we discovered that the grounds 
and grove surrounding the buildings were literally alive with 
horsemen and it was soon quite apparent that our presence was 
unexpected and that it was causing considerable commotion 
among the people in the grove. 

129 



Meantime the advance guard was gradually drawing nearer 
to the house and straining his eyes to determine whether the 
excited horsemen, within the grove, were friends or foes. At a 
distance they appeared to be clad in grey, and when the advance 
of the Sergeant's party was about 500 yards from the grove sev- 
eral of the men emerged from there and came tearing down the 
road at full speed, revolvers in hand. 

The Corporal in advance glanced back to see if the Sergeant 
would render assistance, when much to his amazement, he saw 
the Sergeant with all of his men but two skirting the brink of 
the hill in full flight. 

We took in the situation at a glance, for we had no time to 
do more, but we will never forget the picture of that Sergeant as 
we looked up from below, outlined against the sky, leading his 
men in a mad headlong rush for safety. He was putting spurs 
to his big bay charger, whose head was stretched out level with 
his body and his tail straight out behind, and his men a close 
second. 

The Sergeant had already lost his cap and he and some of 
his men were freeing themselves as rapidly as possible of all 
impediments, such as canteens, haversack and the like. Whether 
any of them lightened themselves of their arms and ammuni- 
tion we never knew, as we did not visit the grounds after the 
"action." 

One of the Sergeant's party who was acting as rear guard, 
and one other of his men staid by the Corporal and they at once 
turned their attention to the horsemen who were dashing down 
upon them, hoping for some fortunate turn of affairs by which 
they might escape from death or prison, but fully resolved to 
fight it out to the end. 

When the horsemen from the house came within hailing dis- 
tance some of their forms appeared familiar, notwithstanding 
they were disguised by ponchoes thrown over their shoulders, 
for it had been raining. When the Corporal's party recognized 

130 



that one at least was a member of their own Company, detailed 
on the Colonel's provost, they were greatly relieved. 

The men from the house seemed equally pleased to find that 
the Corporal and comrades were not an advance guard of Rebs. 
It was then learned that the men at the house were all members 
of our Regiment and that they had reached there by a different 
road some time earlier. 

The reason they appeared at a distance to be clad in grey was 
because many of them had thrown old grain sacks over their 
shoulders to protect them from the recent rain. At the house 
it was learned that when our troops had approached it several 
shots had been fired from the windows and a member of the 
Regiment had been mortally wounded and was then dying in 
one of the rooms. 

The Rebels had escaped to the timber which lay near the 
house on one side. Soon after the Corporal and party reached 
the house a Corporal of Co. "E," whose name was Raymond, 
saw a man prowling along through the timber crouching near 
the ground in an effort to avoid observation. Raymond, sus- 
pecting that he was one of the Rebs who had fled from the 
house, raised his carbine and fired, and the man fell. 

Upon investigation it was found that he had been killed and 
that he was a brother of the young woman who lived at the 
house. 

Corporal Raymond, when being praised by his comrades for 
his successful shot, did not seem at all elated, but much sobered 
to know that he had taken another's life. He seemed to be a 
man who was soldiering purely from a sense of duty and one 
whom the terrible scenes and excesses of war would never de- 
prive of his humanity. 

The Sergeant above referred to reported to the Captain, 
describing in graphic terms the attack on his advance guard and 
his masterly retreat. Great was the astonishment of the officers 
and men when they arrived an hour later and found the Corporal 

131 



and his faithful comrades safe and sound with the balance of the 
Regiment. 

One of the comrades who stood by the Corporal on this occa- 
sion was our present Secretary, Bart Griffin, and the other was 
Silas D. Case, who at Buckland Mills, October 19th, 1863, see- 
ing a Lieutenant had lost his horse, dismounted and gave his 
horse to this Lieutenant. Case himself was captured and died 
on Belle Isle, at Richmond, Va., March 4th, 1864. He was one 
of the youngest and bravest in the Regiment. The combined 
ages of these three boys were less than 50 years. 




132 




r 




1862. 



Elliott A. Cook, 

Co. "C." 

Dead. 

Born October 15, 1830, at Oakfield, Genesee Co., N. Y. ; 
enlisted at Tuscola, Mich., September 11, 1862, as Private in 
Co. "C," 7th Michigan Cavalry; was killed on the picket line at 
Robinson River, near Culpeper C. H., Va., October 8, 1863. 
Through the faithfulness and generosity of his companions his 
remains were sent to his old home in New York, and now lay 
across the road opposite where he was born. Report says he 
was ordered out on the picket line where he was killed, to take 
the place of someone who had been caught sleeping on his post. 
He lived about one and one-half hours after being shot, and was 
conscious to the last. 



133 




1863. 



1901. 



OivivER H. Perry, 

Co. "C." 

107 Wall St., Ionia, Mich. 

Born at Flushing, Genesee County, Mich., December 8th, 
1844; enlisted at Saginaw, Saginaw County, Mich., August 
28th, 1862, as Private in Co. "C," 7th Michigan Cavalry; 
taken prisoner October 8th, 1863, at Utz Ford, Robinson River, 
Va., confined in Libby, Pemberton, Belle Isle, and Anderson- 
ville prisons; released at Baldwin, Florida, April 28th, 1865; 
mustered out at Camp Chase, Ohio, June 20th, 1865, and hon- 
orably discharged. 



134 



ARMY TRAFFIC. 
By Oliver H. Perry. 

It was a night of August, in 1863, that two comrades, 
Walter Honsinger and William Hunter (I think) and myself 
were doing picket duty on the Rappahannock River at Bank's 
Ford. Our post was close to the river. Behind three small 
logs we laid all night with nothing to disturb our vigil until 
just at daylight when looking across the river in the gray light 
of morning we saw three Johnnies standing on the other side, 
their muskets sticking in the ground, a sign that hostilities 
were suspended for the time being. 

Upon making our appearance one of their number said, 
"Hello, Yanks, you'ns got any coffee and sugar to trade for 
tobacco?" We told them we had, and if they would come over 
we would trade with them; but they insisted on our going 
across. After some little parleying Honsinger and I concluded 
it would be safe to make the venture, so after donning our 
bathing suits, "which consisted of the same outfit worn by 
Adam and Eve, minus the fig leaves," we started on what came 
very near being a dear expedition for us. 

After going up stream some distance we started over, hav- 
ing with us our coffee and sugar. On arriving at our destina- 
tion we did not go up onto the bank but sat down in the water 
to rest. After doing our trading and having a short talk with 
the Johnnies we concluded to return to our camp, when we 
were surprised to> hear some one ask the guards who we'ns 
were. Upon looking up we saw a young Rebel Lieutenant 
standing there with all the dignity of a Corps Commander. 
Without asking us any questions regarding our business, or 
listening to any explanation he said, "You'ns get up and go to 
camp with me." About that time, if we had been on the other 
side of the river, we would have made them a present of our 
whole stock in trade, but there we were, breast deep in the 
water (to hide our bathing suits) and there seemed no other 

135 



alternative but get out and go as prisoners to the camp of the 
"Johnnies," there to dry our suits and prepare for what was 
w r orse than death, Andersonville. Will God in His mercy 
draw the veil and let no record of that "Horror of Horrors" 
blot this history. 

Excuse my digression; as we did not start at once he re- 
peated his command, "You ns get out and go to camp with 
me." Well, we thought it was all off with us, as we saw no 
other way than to go with him, wdien our friend of the tobacco 
deal, taking his gun from where it stood and covering his 
"superior," said, "Lieutenant, I told those men that if they 
came over they could go back, sir, and as I live I will keep my 
word with them, so now, 'Yanks,' you git and be right smart 
about it." Honsinger said, "He will shoot us," our friend 
said, "I guess not while he is interested with the close prox- 
imity of my musket." 

Well, we accepted his invitation to "git" and were not long 
"gitting" either. I think the record for swimming was broken 
that morning, for the bubbles we made that went floating down 
stream were as big as canteens. Having plenty of salt, sugar, 
coffee and tobacco, we did not do as "Lot's wife" did, look back, 
but kept right on making suds. After we arrived on our side 
of the river we looked back and saw the Johnnies shoulder 
their arms and march away, and that was the last we saw of 
them. 

How the matter was settled on the other side I never knew. 

I have often wished I knew how fared our friend when he 
arrived at camp, but I am sure Providence cared for him. He 
was true to his word and showed a nature worthy of a nobler 
cause than the one he was contending for. If his life has been 
spared and if by chance or otherwise he should read this 
history, I wish to thank him for his honor as a man and his 
kindness to us, as I have had no opportunity to do so since we 
parted on that bright August morning in 1863. 

136 




1863. 



1901. 



Wiujam Hoover, 

Co. "C." 
Vassar, Mich. 

Born in Jefferson County, N. Y., February 12th, 1843 ; en- 
listed at Tuscola, Tuscola County, Mich., August 30th, 1862, 
as Private in Co. "C," 7th Michigan Cavalry; mustered out at 
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, December 15th, 1865, and honor- 
ably discharged. 



137 





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1863. 1899 

Reverend John N. Wilson, 

Co. "C." 

Auburn, Ind. 

Born November 19th, 1843, at Thetford, Genesee County, 
Mich. ; enlisted at East Saginaw, Mich., August 31st, 1862, as 
Private in Co. "C," of the 7th Michigan Cavalry; mustered out 
at Annsville, Va., August 27th, 1863, the cause being heart 
trouble, and honorably discharged. 

PASSING MOSBY'S PICKETS. 
By Rev. John N. Wilson. 

As the comrades are aware, in the early spring of 1863, the 
7th Michigan Cavalry was divided into detachments, doing 
picket duty, patrolling, etc. As my memory has it, one detach- 
ment, consisting of Companies of which "C" was one, broke 

138 



camp near Fairfax, April 10th, going to a point near Wolf Run 
Shoals, thence to Bristow Station and Cutletts Station, Warren- 
ton Junction, Bealeton and Rappahannock, picketing the rail- 
road and scouting and patrolling the country for Mosby's 
guerrillas, so that the boys in the 7th in my squadron knew the 
country well and nearly every point on the railroad from Fair- 
fax Station to Rappahannock. 

One fine day, about the first of June, we left camp at War- 
renton Junction and leisurely made our way clown the railroad 
to Rappahannock Station, going into camp about two o'clock. 

About 5 p. m. Adjutant Doty came to me and asked if I 
would like to go to Fairfax — with dispatches — to which I 
eargerly said yes. He told me to report to headquarters at 
6 p. m., which I accordingly did. Colonel Mann on being told 
I was selected to go to Fairfax questioned me closely about my 
knowledge of the road, my horse and arms. After apparently 
satisfying himself on those points he asked my Company, and 
then told me to go to Captain Darling and ask for ten men as 
an escort. I told him I did not want an escort of ten men, when 
he said then take twenty. I told him I wanted no escort, and on 
his insisting I told him that I had not been detailed for that 
duty, and if I was to go with an escort of ten or twenty men I 
would not go unless detailed for that duty. Upon his asking 
why I declined an escort, I told him one man well mounted, 
who knew the roads, could slip past Mosby and his men, when 
ten or twenty would be picked up or have to fight their way 
through. 

The Colonel in response smiled and said, "You will do," and 
directed me to have my horse in readiness to start at 1 a. m., so 
that I might go through the worst part of the territory before 
daylight. 

Leaving headquarters at 1 in the morning, a bright starlight 
night, with my big envelope with dispatches safely buttoned 
inside my jacket, I sallied out. 

139 



As you, my comrades, will remember, there were picket 
posts, or rather camps composed of one hundred or more men, 
strung all along the line of railroad to protect it from being 
destroyed by the Rebels. Each of these had their own counter- 
sign, and my instructions were, when hailed, to answer., 
"Friend, without the countersign," telling who I was and add- 
ing "with dispatches." So answering, I would be told to dis- 
mount and come into camp — when I would be taken to their 
headquarters, my papers, which were unsealed, examined, and 
I put in charge of a guard, who passed me out on the other side 
of their picket line. 

I had passed two or three such posts and was within some 
two miles of Warrenton Junction, with my horse on a walk, 
when he swerved towards the railroad track, which at this place 
was four to six rods distant, and in a cut of four to six feet in 
depth. Reining him back into the road, and glancing that way 
to see what had caused him to act as he did, I was surprised, and 
I think I can safely say, "badly scared" as well, to see a man 
sitting quietly on his horse just across the track from me, and 
in the woods about forty rods away a dozen or more smoldering 
camp fires, with now and then a brand breaking, sending up 
sparks and flaring into a blaze. Having passed over the road 
that day and knowing we had no force of troops there, I at once 
concluded that it was Mosby or some of his men, and my car- 
bine was hastily drawn from its socket and firmly grasped for 
immediate use. My intentions were, if hailed by him, to an- 
swer by a shot from my carbine and try to run to Warrenton 
Junction, or if too closely pushed take to the woods when I 
reached a strip closing in on both sides of the road about half a 
mile ahead. Holding my horse to its walk, I could see the silent 
horseman turn his head and watch me, as long as I could see him 
without turning. About forty rods further on the woods came 
down to the railroad on his side, and near this corner sat another 
horseman watching, I keeping the same gait, passed this picket, 

140 



who in turn seemed to watch me, at the same slow gait walked 
on my way, until the shadaws of the woods covered me, when by 
use of spurs my horse was put to his best gait till Warrenton 
Junction was reached. To say I was scared is to speak mildly, 
I am not sure but that my hair stood on end. 

On reaching headquarters of the infantry post at the Junc- 
tion, I told the officer of the day what I had seen, who at once 
sent out orders for doubling up of pickets and to be in readiness 
for a dash by Mosby. Pushing on, Cutlett Station was reached 
and its officers notified of Mosby being near at hand, as also at 
Kettle Run and Bristow Station. At each of these places I was 
urged by the officers to remain till day, but declined. 

Just as I struck over the ridge between Bristow and Ma- 
nassas Junction, the sun rose. Passing Manassas Junction and 
the old Rebel camp, I crossed Bull Run at Blackburn's Ford and 
was taken to headquarters at Union Mills when, after the usual 
examination of my papers, I was placed in charge of a Corporal 
and passed out towards Fairfax. Every mile or so I would 
come to a picket post, by whom I would be stopped and the 
Sergeant or Lieutenant in charge of the line would interrogate 
me, look at my papers and pass me on, only to have the same 
thing repeated at the next post, and so on until I reached Fair- 
fax and made my way to camp and turned over my papers in 
safety to General Copeland, our Brigade Commander. 

I afterward learned that within one half hour from the time 
I reached Warrenton Junction, Mosby's force came, but finding 
the pickets alert and ready for them swung around and in turn 
tried the posts at Cutlett Station, Kettle Run and Bristow. 
Reaching the latter point shortly after I left the camp but in 
consequence of my warnings the pickets were not surprised and 
that raid was in vain. 



141 




1901. 

Charles Hustler, 

Co. "C." 
Tuscola, Mich. 

Born at Lewiston, Niagara County, N. Y., May 22nd, 
1845; enlisted at Saginaw, Saginaw County, Mich., Septem- 
ber 20th, 1862, as Private in Co. "C," 7th Michigan Cavalry; 
wounded at Greenwich, Va., May 29th, 1863,' by gunshot in 
right thigh; taken prisoner at Trevilian's Station, June 11th. 
1864, and taken to Richmond, Andersonville, Millen, then to 
Savannah, and paroled March 26th, 1865,; mustered out at 
Clarksville, Md., June 30th, 1865, and honorably discharged. 



142 




1901, 

Ernest Von Daniels, 

Co. "C." 

787 West Lake St., Chicago, 111. 

Born in Germany, October 6th, 1844; enlisted at East Sag- 
inaw, Saginaw County, Mich., November 29th, 1862, as private 
in Co. "C," 7th Michigan Cavalry; mustered out at Fort 
Leavenworth, Kansas, December 15th, 1865, and honorably 
discharged. 

LEFT ON PICKET. 
By Ernest Von Daniels. 

We were camped at the ford of a small stream near Kettle 
Run. Bryant Rudd and myself were detailed by Acting Ser- 
geant Wm. Glover Gage to guard the road leading to the ford. 
I remember that it was a warm, bright, sunny day, and we were 

143 



right in our glory in being assigned to the post that we were. 
There were no Rebs in our immediate vicinity, everything was 
quiet, and it was just one of those balmy Southern days that 
makes a man fall in love with nature. 

We were stationed about a mile from camp, doing duty 
until noon, and then began to look for relief, but none came. 
We ate some of the ''grub" that we had in our haversacks and 
continued waiting for the relief. Evening came; we were 
getting tired; still no relief and no sounds from camp. We 
began to wonder. We ate supper from what we had left from 
dinner, watered our horses and began to argue with one another 
as to what was the best mode of procedure. Rudd was for 
going to camp to find out what was the matter while I stayed 
on guard, but I convinced him that that would be deserting his 
post, so he stayed. 

We did duty that night, all the next day, the next night, and 
just before daybreak we heard a noise across the river. It 
sounded like the tramping of horses, and pretty soon we could 
see in the dim light a company of Cavalry approaching from 
the other side. We waited until they got about to the water's 
edge and then called out our challenge, "Who goes there?" 
"Friends, with the countersign," came the answer. We did 
not know whether they were Rebs or our own men, so we 
advanced and called, "Advance one and give the countersign." 
They wanted us to come half way, and then came the question 
of argument. I wanted Rudd to go, and Rudd wanted me to 
go. We argued, and finally Rudd convinced me that I, being 
the youngest, should go ; so I went. I did not have the counter- 
sign, so I had to bluff it out. I met their man in midstream, 
and was just about tickled to death to find that he was from 
the 25th New York Cavalry. 

Their Colonel ordered us to fall in with his Regiment and 
they would proceed under our guidance to the place where we 
thought our camp would be. When we got there, I'll be "swan- 

144 



gcgled" if the whole darned shootin' match hadn't moved and 
left us out there on guard. 

We stayed with the 25th until their Colonel had found out 
where our Regiment had gone, then we were told to go and 
join them, which we did. 

I would like some time to get a chance to put Comrade 
Gage on guard at a small ford in a lonely neighborhood. I'd 
leave him for a week and then send a troop of Sioux Indians 
to march on him and frighten him as badly as we were fright- 
ened that night. We thought the 25th was Mosby's men, and 
visions of Iyibby and Andersonville prisons stared us in the 
face from every side, and I assure you I was more pleased 
to find that they were a New York Regiment than I would be 
if i found a gold mine in my back yard to-day. 




146 




18G4. 

James L. Rock, 
Co. "C," 

87 Fitzhugh St., Rochester, N. Y. 

Born at Greece, Monroe County, N. Y., March 18th, 1835; 
enlisted at Corunna, Mich., February 27th, 1864, as Private in 
Co. "C," 7th Michigan Cavalry; mustered out at Salt Lake 
City, Utah, November 30th, 18G5, and honorably discharged. 

146 









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1901. 
James L. Rock, 

FORAGING AROUND TREVILIAN'S STATION. 
By Jas. L. Rock. 

During the campaigns of 1864 and 1865 many exciting 
events in battle and on the march occurred under my observa- 
tion, but I will confine myself to the Battle of Trevilian's 
Station, which occurred on June 11th and 12th, 1864. 

While on the march our rations became scarce and on the 
day before arriving at Trevilian, details were made throughout 
the Regiment to go out and collect rations and forage for the 
command. I was one among those detailed from Co "C" (in 
all about 15 men), among the number I distinctly remember 
Von Daniels, Honsinger, and Darby. Of the list of houses 
visited that day was one having the appearance from the ex- 
terior and surrounding grounds that the owner was a person 

147 



of wealth. A short distance from the house on the south side 
were six or seven negro huts, in front of the west side was a 
beautiful lawn extending about 400 feet to the road running 
north and south. It was decorated with beautiful flowers 
planted in beds, artistically laid out, presenting a picturesque 
view from the house to the road. On arriving at the premises, 
pickets were stationed around the house, the balance proceeded 
to investigate, first by soliciting forage and rations for the 
Army from the inmates of the house, consisting of an old man 
and a young woman. Their reply was that there was not any- 
thing to meet our demands in or around the premises. Not be- 
lieving them, we demanded the keys of the house and out- 
buildings, which demand was complied with and we proceeded 
to search for rations and forage. After making a thorough 
search we could not find anything and were disappointed and 
about to leave when our attention was called to the fact that 
there must be a garret above the floor which we had visited. We 
found a square hatch in the ceiling and in order to reach it one 
man had to climb on another's shoulders. The hatch was opened 
and on inspection we found bacon and meal enough to supply 
the Potomac Army one entire day. The joyful news was soon 
communicated to the other boys and our Commissary Pro Tern 
commenced firing out the bacon through the front window, 
every side going kerchunk right into a choice bed of flowers, it 
being located directly under the window. The young woman 
on seeing the bacon flying through the window and her flowers 
crushed, commenced a tirade and called us everything- but gen- 
tlemen. She commenced by saying that the lowest Confed- 
erate could not, and would not, get so low as to commit the 
deed we were then enacting. No, they would die in the ditch 
with starvation first; they were gentlemen, every one of them, 
and we were not,; that we were not men of principle, only Lin- 
coln's hirelings, gathered from all over the world, composed of 
robbers, thugs, gamblers, mudsills, and murderers, hired to 
destroy their homes. All the time that she was raving we, of 

14S 



course, were packing the bacon on our saddles and smiling. 
As no one would answer her epithets she became more enraged 
and paced the verandah from end to end, her hair loosening 
and falling down her back. Finally in her exaspiration she 
called us dummies and hoped the Confederate Army would 
have the pleasure of eating the bacon we were taking, and 
prayed God that she might live to see the day and that the 
opportunity might arise giving her the chance to eat a Yankee 
scalp. Little did we think at that time that one of her wishes 
would be fulfilled, and that, too, on the very next morning, for 
as we were making coffee and cooking flap^ jacks the Rebels 
fired into our midst and we immediately vacated, leaving them 
the whole of the bacon that we had captured the day before. 
Getting out into the open and the light of day approaching, the 
first sound that greeted our ears was a Michigan yell, coming 
from the throats of the gallant old 1st. They made a suc- 
cessful charge, bringing back about 300 prisoners, army 
wagons, ambulances, etc. ; then a charge was made by the 5th, 
then the 6th, then went in the invincible 7th, it being about 7 
a. m., and stayed in until the engagement for the day ended. 
All members of the 7th remember that engagement, as it was 
"cut and slash," we being outnumbered four to one, forced us 
to charge and fight in small detachments, charging back and 
forth over the same ground three or four times before relief 
came by our fighting through and making connections with the 
balance of the Corps. One interesting incident came under my 
observation that day, I happening to get alongside of General 
Custer in one of the charges just as his color bearer was shot ; 
he dismounted, tore the colors from the staff, and remounted. 
He advanced but a short distance when he met the Captain of 
Battery "M," who stated that he had just lost one section of his 
Battery and pointed in the direction that it was taken. The 
General put spurs to his horse and was out of sight in a few 
seconds and that was the last I saw of him that day, as I had 
plenty of business to engage my attention from that time to the 

149 



finish. I speak of this eventful day as a subject for thought, 
after hearing the expressions and sentiments of the cultured 
lady of the South whom we met the day before. If her senti- 
ment prevailed throughout the rank and file of the Southern 
army and citizens, we can without being considered egotistic 
feel proud of being a fractional part of our great army of men 
that opened the door and let in the light of intelligence and 
happiness to our once sectional enemies, but now our best 
friends, and as such may we always remain. 




150 




1865. 



1886. 



Albert M. Helmer, 
Co. "C." 

Parma, Jackson Co., Mich. 

Born November 27, 1846, at Lockport, N. Y. ; enlisted at 
Jackson, Mich., as Private in Co. "C," 7th Michigan Cavalry, 
February 15, 1865; mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., 
December 15, 1865, and honorably discharged. 



151 




153 




1863. 1901. 

Gsorge A. Armstrong, 

Captain Co. "D." 
103-4 P. St., Fresno, Cal. 

Born at Peru, Clinton County, N. Y., August 27th, 1830; 
mustered at Grand Rapids, Kent County, Mich., November 
13th, 1862, as Captain of Co. "D," 7th Michigan Cavalry; 
promoted to Captain and A. Q. M. May 21th, 1861, and 
served as such until the close of the war at Nashville, Bridge- 
port, and Knoxville; wounded July 16th, 1863, being thrown 
from a horse and landing on my head, which nearly broke my 
neck, taken up for dead and left at a farm house. Novem- 
ber 26th, 1863, was appointed Aide to General Stoneman at 
Washington, later was dismissed from the service and tried 
by Military Court, was reinstated and appointed Captain and 
A. Q. M. ; honorably discharged at Washington, D. C. 
March 13th, 1866. 



154 



AT THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG. 
By Capt. Geo. A. Armstrong. 

On the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg the 7th 
Michigan Cavalry had been for some time supporting a Bat- 
tery that was playing vigorously upon the enemy, who were 
returning a lively fire, and we listening to the zip, zip of their 
bullets as they passed, as well as the boom of some hundreds 
of cannon and the screeching of shells. A good looking 
young officer rode out toward us, waving his hand, and in a 
pleasant tone of voice called out, "Bring on your 7th now," 
and the Regiment in column of companies moved out in order 
to strike the column that was trying to turn our flank, first at 
a slow trot, then at a double quick, then the charge. We 
went over the hill at a break-neck charge, down into the pit- 
hole of death into a corner of a stone wall with a fence on 
top of it,; Colonel Mann was in command, General Custer 
riding near him at the head of the command. We crashed 
against the stone wall, which withstood us, breaking our 
columns into jelly and mixing us up like a mass of pulp. 
"Throw down the fence !" was ordered, and the rails flew in 
all directions, clearing an opening for us to pass, while the 
Rebels with their guns poked through the fence as they lay 
securely behind the wall were raking our helpless column 
with their deadly fire. Through the gap in the fence our 
brave boys went pell-mell, their horses jumping the wall and 
at them we went every man for himself. Young Wm. H. 
Adams of my Company fell almost into my arms shot dead 
as his horse leaped the wall. The enemy recoiled and with- 
drew only as we cut or shot them down or rode over them. 
We withdrew and reformed our broken ranks and shattered 
companies, charging them again, going over the wall the 
second time, cutting, slashing and shooting them down, but 
they were too heavy and sullen for us and stood their ground 
so desperately that as before we were compelled to withdraw 

155 



over the wall a second time, badly broken and cut up, and as 
we were trying to reform a Rebel Regiment of Cavalry swung 
into view, charging down upon us. I rode up to General 
Custer and called his attention to their advance, he answered, 
"Yes, I know it, and we must get back under the guns," but 
at that moment the 1st Vermont Cavalry charged over the hill 
to our rescue. On they came, both Regiments, the Rebels and 
the Vermonters coming together like two furious thunder 
clouds, and then occurred a wonder of the battle field, every 
soldier held his breath and his heart stood still for the mo- 
ment; when within easy pistol shot both Regiments halted 
for a moment, faced each other, looked each other in the eyes, 
then a yell rang out from the 1st Vermont and they spurred 
their horses forward in a desperate charge, the Rebels 
wheeled, were driven off the field and out of sight. 

Henry Thomas, Private of my Company, later Lieutenant, 
had two horses shot under him and came off the field all O. K. 
on the third horse that he picked up. Such was much of the 
desperate fighting in the three days fight at Gettysburg. 



156 




18G2. 



1869. 



James G. Birney, 

Captain Co. "D." 
Dead. 

Born at New Haven, New Haven County, Conn., Au- 
gust 12th, 1844; enlisted at Bay City, Mich., September 10th, 
1862, as Private in Co. "C," 7th Michigan Cavalry; was pro- 
moted to Second Lieutenant of Co. "C" October 15th, 1862; 
to First Lieutenant August 1st, 1863, by order of Colonel W. 
D. Mann, "in reward for brave and noble conduct on the 
bloody field of Gettysburg, where in gallant defense of our 
colors he was struck down and taken prisoner; 5 ' and assigned 
to Co. "A," and to Captain March 18th, 1864; wounded and 
left for dead on the field of Gettysburg, taken prisoner July 
3rd, 1863, escaping two nights after; transferred to 1st Michi- 
gan Veteran Cavalry November 17th, 1865; mustered out at 

157 



Salt Lake City March 10th, 1866, and honorably discharged. 
Entered the Regular Army as Second Lieutenant, 9th 
United States Cavalry July 23rd, 1866, "was Breveted First 
Lieutenant and Captain March 2nd, 1867, for gallant and 
meritorious service at the Battle of Gettysburg; promoted to 
First Lieutenant April 14th, 1867; died at Fort Davis, West- 
ern Texas, January 16th, 1870. 

EXTRACT FROM A LETTER OF LIEUT. JAMES G. BIRNE\. 

On the day of the great Battle of Gettysburg (Friday), 
we had a very sharp fight with General Stuart on the right. 
The 7th Michigan Cavalry charged gallantly and drove them 
back; when Hampton's entire Brigade charged us, and we 
were obliged to fall back. My horse was shot twice and fin- 
ally killed,; a bullet went through the pommel of my saddle, 
two through my overcoat and one through my sabre strap, 
and I was struck on the heel with a spent one. The Regiment 
began to fall back and just then the Color Sergeant (Church, 
of Bay City) was killed by a pistol shot. I secured the colors 
and was charged on by a large number of Rebels, and I can 
assure you the bullets whistled merrily for a while, but mir- 
aculously none touched me. I shot two of the enemy, using 
all the charges left in my revolver and then charged a man 
with the pike of the colors, but before I reached him I got a 
sabre cut on the head that laid me out. I lay upon the field 
for an hour when the Rebels came and carried me off, a pris- 
oner. I was a prisoner for two days, one of which was the 
Fourth of July. I escaped from them above Cashtown and 
found Uncle Fitzhugh of the Ambulance Corps, who took me 
in his ambulance to Micldletown, where I found General 
Pleasanton's headquarters and reported for duty with a re- 
quest to be forwarded to my Regiment. The General was 
very complimentary and appointed me as Aide-de-Camp on 
his Staff. 

158 



DEATH OF A GALLANT OFFICER. 

Captain James G. Birney, eldest son of Hon. James Bir- 
ney, of Bay City, Mich., died January 16th, 1870, at Fort 
Davis, Texas. 

Captain Birney, after serving four years in the Volunteer 
Service under Generals Custer, Kilpatrick, and Sheridan, re- 
ceived an appointment from Secretary Stanton in the 9th 
Cavalry of the Regular Army, and was on duty at Fort Davis 
when he died. 

Major-General Hatch paid the following tribute in a letter 
communicating the sad intelligence of his death : 

"Captain James G. Birney died this morning at five o'clock. 
The Captain had complained of a serious indisposition for 
some time prior to January 2nd, when his illness confined him 
to his bed. From that time he sank rapidly under a severe 
attack of acute inflammation of the stomach that resisted 
every effort of an accomplished army surgeon. God willed 
he should pass gently away, dying so easily in the presence of 
his wife and brother officers he seemed to have fallen into a 
quiet sleep. I need not say how thoroughly he was loved by 
his brother officers. The qualities that endeared him to them 
must have been delightfully prominent in the home circle. He 
had every attribute of manhood. To a face and form un- 
usually excellent was connected ability and energy sufficient 
for any purpose directed by the highest integrity, combining 
the finest qualities of an officer and a gentleman. His en- 
durance and courage in the field were wonderful." 



159 




18G4 



1S93 



J. O. A. Sessions, 

First Lieutenant Co. "D." 
911 Forest Ave., Ann Arbor, Mich. 

Born January 15th, 1832, at Lenox, Madison County, 
N. Y. ; received First Lieutenant Commission from Austin 
Blair (Governor) October 15th, 1862, and was mustered in 7th 
Michigan Cavalry as First Lieutenant in Co. "D," November 
13th, 1862 ; was with my Regiment in Battles of Gettysburg, 
Hanover, Boonsboro, Culpeper, Morton's Ford, Brandy Sta- 
tion and Kilpatrick's Raid to Richmond. A Rebel bullet went 
through and knocked off my hat at Gettysburg and my horse 
was hit by a Rebel bullet at Battle of Morton's Ford, but no 
wounds for me ; mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., No- 
vember 3rd, 1865, and honorably discharged. 



160 



REMINISCENCES OF THE PICKET LINE. 
By Lieut. J. Q. A. Sessions. 

My first experience in charge of a picket line was on the 
Chantilly Pike soon after our Brigade went into our first 
camp in Virginia, at Fairfax Court House, in March or April, 
1863. One dark night I concluded to ascertain how reliable 
the pickets were to prevent unknown persons from passing the 
posts on the Pike without first giving the countersign. We 
were picketing against Mosby's guerillas and instructed to 
give an alarm if they attempted to make a raid inside our lines. 
I commenced my trip on my horse down the Pike at the west 
end of our line near Centerville, going eastward. Pulling my 
hat down over my eyes, my coat collar turned up, I soon ap- 
proached the first picket. "Who comes there?" Changing 
my voice to as gruff a tone as possible, I replied, "A farmer 
living near Fairfax ; I have been to Centerville and want to get 
home." "Advance. Have you the countersign?" "I know 
nothing about countersigns, but want to get home. Can't I 
pass down the Pike?" "Yes, you may pass. I guess you are 
all right." The same thing occurred with variations at two 
other picket posts, except I was questioned more closely as to 
what I had been to Centerville for, etc. Of course I had been 
on business and detained later than I had expected. On my 
route I had met a Corporal or Sergeant of Co. "D" and ex- 
plained the trip and requested him to go with me. 

When we approached the fourth post, where the boys had 
built a large fire out of logs, we were halted at some dis- 
tance from the picket, probably as soon as we were heard 
coming. "Who comes there?" "Two farmers who have 

161 



been to Centerville on business and want to get home ; we live 
near Fairfax." "Dismount one and advance." I crawled off 
my horse as clumsily as possible and led my horse towards 
the picket. I heard the click of the revolver as I had at one 
or two other posts. I realized that in the hands of men of 
so little experience the revolver was liable to go off and J 
might be sorry I undertook the trip. By the time I had ap- 
proached near this picket, another man had come out from 
the fire near the post and I was confronted by two of them. 

With my hat drawn down and stooping over, they could 
not see my face. After several questions and answers, one 
said in a low tone to the other, "Lead him up to the fire!" Of 
course I had to go. He stooped down and looked up into 
my face. "My God, Lieutenant, is that you?" A shout from 
the boys and the fun for me was over. 

I once had charge of the picket line on the north bank of 
the Rappahannock a few miles above Fredericksburg. About 
noon I visited the picket line. At the headquarters of the 
pickets who were in charge of a Sergeant, the boys were get- 
ting dinner. There was hard tack, coffee, fried bacon, and T 
think a loaf of bread, which must have come down from the 
skies like manna to the wandering Israelites. 

Across the river sat two Rebel pickets on horses in the 
shade of a tree. "Boys," said I, "suppose we invite the pickets 
on the other side to come over and eat dinner with us." "Oh, 
they won't dare to leave their posts and come over here." 
"Well, I am going to see what they will say about it." 
"Hello!" One replied, "Hello!" "We are getting dinner, 
come over and eat with us," giving him at the same time the 
bill of fare. "I will see you back all right." "Oh, no, we 
can't, the officer may come around here soon." "There is no 
danger of that, he is looking after his own dinner now." 

"I can't swim," said one. "Can the other swim?" "I can 
swim some, but wouldn't dare try it alone." "Will you come 

162 



over if I will swim across and escort you?" After consulting- 
together he said, "Yes, I will try it." "Well, meet me at the 
bank. I will be there." He met me at the bank prepared for 
a swim and we passed over all right. Throwing a blanker 
around him, and giving him a hard tack box for a seat beside 
another box used for a table, he said, "By golly, this seems 
queer, don't it?" "What is the matter?" "Why, we are 
eating dinner together to-day and perhaps shooting at each 
other to-morrow." "Well," I replied, "it is to-day now, let 
to-morrow take care of itself." He said he was eighteen years 
old and was raised near Richmond and that he had not had 
any coffee for six months, and that it was the best dinner he 
had received in a long time. I went back with him and 
though the current was rapid, nothing occurred to mar the 
festive occasion. Several years afterwards it occurred to me 
that this was one of the most indiscreet and foolish acts of my 
life. If he had lost courage in the middle of the stream and 
seized hold of me, I was not strong enough to hold him up 
and keep him at arm's length, and both would have gone to the 
bottom, and remained there for an indefinite period. 

In October, 1863, General Lee advanced on our Army 
from his headquarters in and around Gordonsville, the Union 
Army being in the vicinity of Culpeper. Our Brigade (Cus- 
ter's) and other Cavalry covered the retreat, protecting the 
wagon trains. We marched toward Washington as far as 
Bull Run, and Centerville. On October 14th, 1863, a por- 
tion of both armies collided at Bristo Station, a railroad station 
west of Bull Run. Here the Rebels got the worst of it and lost 
two Regiments, taken prisoners, besides many killed and 
wounded. Portions of our Army crossed the Run over the 
little bridge made famous by the first and second battles of 
Bull Run in '61 and '62. Our Brigade went into camp near 
the bridge. About dark my Company ("D") was ordered to 
go a mile west where the second battle of Bull Run was fought, 
form a picket line through the woods and remain during the 

163 



night. It was too dark to distinguish skulls from stones, or 
dead bodies shriveled in their clothing or partly covered with 
earth, from sticks of wood. At daylight we had a view of 8 
battle field, a year after the battle occurred, where thousands 
were slaughtered. I hope I shall never see such a sight again. 

We were in a Charnal House of immense proportions. Our 
Army was defeated and retreated to Chantilly. But little time 
could be spared by either army for burying the dead. This 
was evident from appearances. In several places trenches from 
twenty to forty feet long and twelve to eighteen inches dee]) 
were filled with bodies. A little earth and tufts of grass were 
placed over them. Imagine the situation a year afterwards. 
The day previous it seemed quite certain there would be a third 
battle of Bull Run. But that night and the next day General 
Lee retraced his steps and went back with his entire army to 
his old camping grounds in and around Gordonsville. Our 
Army followed and occupied our former positions. The Cav- 
alry leading the way. 

In the fall of 1863, after the armies under Lee and Meade 
had settled down again in permanent quarters, our Regiment 
was sent to the Rappahannock opposite Fredericksburg on a 
reconnoisance to ascertain, if possible, what General Lee was 
doing or what he proposed to do after his ruinous defeat a*" 
Gettysburg. Soon after we arrived at the river it was reported 
that the Rebels on the opposite side had been sending over 
Southern papers to one of our Regiments, who had camped 
there a short time previous. A very small boat, with a very 
delicate rudder and a paper sail was sent across the river, with 
the bottom of the boat filled with papers. The rudder was set 
and fastened in such a way that the boat would be driven 
across the river by the current and the paper sail. On further 
inquiry we learned the boat went down stream the day before. 
I proposed to Captain James B. Loomis, now living in Nome, 
Alaska (then Sergeant-Major of the Regiment), that we 

164 



swim across, get some of the papers and bring them back in our 
hats, provided the Rebels on the other side were good natured 
and would agree to see us back all right. I said, "Hello, 
there, have you any papers ?" "Yes, come over and get some." 
"Can't you send them over?" "No, we have no way now." 
"If two of us come over will you see us back all right?" "Yes, 
come, on, we will see you back all right, and give you some 
Richmond papers." At the same time raising both hands, to 
indicate "no arms," and that they would receive us bare 
handed. This was a promise and signal along the Rappahan- 
nock so long as it was the boundary line between the two 
Armies. Many a meeting of the pickets to exchange papers 
and Yankee coffee for Virginia tobacco was arranged in this 
way and not a single instance was known where either party 
broke his word. It was considered a matter of honor on all 
such occasions. Loomis said he did not think he could swim 
across, the current was so strong. I said I was going directly 
over. Loomis went up stream a short distance and swam and 
floated across diagonally. I swam to a large rock on the 
bank. The Rebels, including some bright looking officers, see- 
ing us coming, had flocked to the shore. 

As I crawled up on the rock one of them asked, "Are you 
a Yankee?" "Well," I said, "my parents were born in New 
England, I was born in New York State, and I hail from 
Michigan. You may call me what you choose." "Well, who 
is General Meade?" The calamity of Gettysburg was still 
fresh in their minds. I replied, "He seems to be a man whom 
the Lord has raised up to put down this Rebellion." "Oh, he 
can't do that, we can carry on the war twenty years yet." One 
said they could carry on a guerilla war, if necessary, for 
twenty years. I replied that long before the twenty years were 
passed they would find it did not pay and would get tired of it. 
This was merely good natured banter, no hostile feeling being 
manifested by any one. "Well," said I, "where are the papers. 

165 



I think we must be going back." "All right, bring down some 
papers," said an officer. We placed the papers in our hats, bade 
them good bye and swam back to the northern shore. Our 
anxiety to get Rebel papers was caused by the bombardment 
of Fort Sumter by our forces. Our batteries there were 
knocking the fort into a big heap of rubbish and the Rebels 
received the news several days earlier than we did. 




166 




i86 3 . 



1900. 



Albert Shotwki.l, 

Q. M. Sergeant Co. "D." 
Dimondale, Mich. 

Born in Elba, Genesee County, N. Y., January 16th, 1840; 
enlisted in Windsor Township, Eaton County, Michigan, Sep- 
tember 12th, 1862, as Corporal in Co. "D," 7th Michigan 
Cavalry; promoted to Sergeant August 15th, 1863, and to 
O. M. Sergeant December 31st, 1864; mustered out at Fori 
Leavenworth, Kansas, December 15th, 1865, and honorably 
discharged. 



WINCHESTER. 

By Albert Shotwell. 
One day's experience during my army life which impressed 
me more than any other was the 19th day of September, 1864, 
known as the Battle of Opequon Creek or Winchester. 

167 



We broke camp about 2 :30 o'clock that morning and 
started to cross the creek. Our Regiment was to support the 
25th New York Cavalry, which we did in fine style, the 25th 
going down to the Ford and taking a road to the right, the 
7th following, which brought us back to nearly where we 
started from; the two Regiments making a grand appearance. 
Afterward the 7th took the lead and crossed the Ford, where 
we found the Johnnies in full force. Shortly after we made 
a charge on their earthworks and met with a warm reception 
and stubborn resistance, but we carried the works and won 
the day by routing the Rebels in great style. In this charge 
one of our boys had his horse disabled by his fore legs being 
shot off. Peter B. Palmanteer took leg bail for some bushes, 
the boys cheering him with "go it, Pete." However, Pete got 
there all right. 

We followed the Rebels toward Winchester, skirmishing 
all the way until we found them in force. Our Regiment was 
ordered to charge them, which we did and drove them some 
distance, when all at once we came along by the side of a 
stone wall, running parallel with the way we were going, 
behind which the Rebels were. They rose up and gave us a 
volley in our left flank, which was a surprise and stirred us up in 
great shape. The first I knew there were only three of us 
left, Colonel Brewer, Comrade Christian Bush of Co. "D" and 
myself. I was carrying the Regimental colors for Colonel 
Brewer, who said, "Sergeant, we better get out of here or we 
will lose the colors." Just about this time my horse was shot 
in the flank and Christian Bush was shot and killed. His 
foot caught in the stirrup and he was dragged back until the 
boys caught his horse. 

The grandest sight I saw during my army life was on this 
day. Sometime in the afternoon we were drawn up for an- 
other charge, our position being on the right of our line next 
to the Infantry. We were on high ground and could see the 

168 



Infantry charging toward Winchester. Next comes the order 
to us ; we hear the bugle sound, which is the signal for us to 
charge, away we go over a little knoll, and we are in the midst 
of the Rebel Infantry who are waiting for us, formed in a 
hollow square ; we do not stop nor slacken our charge, but ride 
right through and over them, taking most of them prisoners. 
During this charge the Rebels had a battery planted so it 
threw shells into our ranks from the right front. One shell 
hit my horse in the head, and in falling he threw 7 me, colors and 
all, quite a number of feet over his head ; I immediately caught 
another horse, mounted and had just overtaken the Colonel near 
a large building on the left when occurred one of the saddest 
calamities of the war to me — our brave Colonel Brewer was 
shot and mortally wounded. 

The day was won, we had routed the enemy and cleaned 
them out completely. We now felt the need of rest and went 
into camp. Thus ended one of the most eventful days of my 
army life. 




169 



ft 




i^. 








1866. 1901. 

Andrew Pray, 

Sergeant Co. "D." 
Dimondale, Mich. 

Born January 4th, 1845, in Superior Township, Washte- 
naw County, Mich. ; enlisted at Grand Rapids, Mich., Novem- 
ber 12th, 1862, as Private in Co. "D," 7th Michigan Cavalry; 
promoted to Corporal in 1863, and to Sergeant in 1864; taken 
prisoner March 2nd, 1864, on Kilpatrick's Raid, escaped the 
same night of capture; mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, 
Kansas, October 28th, 1865, and honorably discharged. 

Remarks : On the 10th day of November, 1862, in com- 
pany with C. H. Holmes and William Bell, I left Windsor 
Township for Kalamo to enlist under George McCormick. 

170 



On arriving there we found that McCormick had gone to 
Grand Rapids. Holmes and I then started on foot for Grand 
Rapids, getting as far as Portland the first day. The next 
morning we took the stage to Lyons and from there took the 
cars on the D., G. H. & M. R. R., arriving at Grand Rapids in 
the evening; enrolled our names in Co. "D," 7th Michigan 
Cavalry, and were mustered into the U. S. service on the 13th 
day of November, 1862. I think I walked much farther to 
enlist than I would have done one year later. 

ON KILPATRICK'S RAID TO RICHMOND. 
By Andrew Pray. 

The night of March 2nd, 1864, after the first attack by the 
Confederates, while on the Kilpatrick Raid to Richmond, 
Lieutenant Sessions sent me with four men to the left and 
across a road along a fence at the edge of a clearing to hold 
them back on that side of camp. We had not been there long 
when I heard firing in our rear and suggested to the boys that 
we had better get out of there and make a run for camp. In 
the woods where our horses were we could see men about our 
camp fires and supposed they were our men until we were right 
among them, and they invited us to surrender. There were 
three Rebs hitched to me, one hold of each arm, and the third 
had hold of my coat in front. The one in front unbuckled 
my sabre belt and he and the one that had hold of my right 
arm began quarreling over my revolver and let go of me. I 
had my carbine on my shoulder and I raised it up with my 
right hand over my head, when the Johnnie that still had hold 
of me said, "You have a gun, too, have you ?" and let go of me. 
I said, "Yes, sir," and turned and ran for where I supposed 
my Regiment was. The three with some others took after me, 
hollering "Halt !" Seeing a line of skirmishers at the lower 
edge of our camp, I thought they were our men until I was 
within two rods of them, when one of those following me 

171 



shouted, "There goes a Yankee, shoot him." Then I saw what 
I was up against, but was too frightened to stop. The skirm- 
ishers, even facing the same way I was running, and I 
ran between two of the Rebs, who cut loose at me. I 
was running down the hill and they firing high was 
all that saved me that time. After I got to the 
bottom of the hill and away from the light of the camp 
fires and in the timber I saw the reflection of water in a ditch. 
I gave a leap for the other side, struck a grape vine with my 
head and went back into the ditch casouse, sitting down in 
the water nearly up to my shoulders. I crawled out on my 
hands and knees and found it was an old fence row with a 
road running along near it. I took to the middle of the road 
— ran about half a mile and caught up with the rear guard 
of our command. From there on for about three miles I was 
putting in my best efforts, part of the time I was head of our 
rear guard and part of the time between the two lines. The 
roads were a muddy slush and I got so tired out that I would 
stub my toe and fall full length in the mud. I finally got a 
lead horse from a darky and rode it until I caught up with my 
Regiment, which had gone into camp. I was so played out 
when I got to camp that I laid down by the first fire I came to. 
I had lost everything I had to wear or cover up with, as all I 
had left was pants, boots and jacket. When daylight came 
and we were ordered to move I was so sore and lame I could 
not move myself. The boys of my company picked me up 
and put me onto a stray horse they had caught and without 
saddle or bridle, having only a halter, I rode through to 
Yorktown. When the command went into camp the boys 
would take me off the horse and when they moved again they 
would load me on again. I absolutely had no use of my legs. 
The associations of such times and the hardships passed to- 
gether and endured are what makes us comrades to-day. 



172 



AT APPOMATTOX. 
By Andrew Pray. 

Early on the morning of April 9th, 1865, when we started 
on the advance there were just five of Co. "D" present for 
duty, four Sergeants and one Corporal. The Corporal held 
the horses and the Sergeants went to the front to fight on foot. 
We drove the Rebel skirmishers back over a long hill and the 
four of us then stopped in the point of a flat-iron shaped piece 
of timber and lay in fence corners surrounding it. The Rebel 
lines began to advance and we were so busily engaged trying 
to keep them out of our neck of the woods that we did not 
notice they were getting around to our left and rear and 
into the woods. The first we knew the woods was full of 
them. They commenced firing at us from the flank, then we 
began to look for the rest of our skirmish line, but they were 
all gone, so we struck out across an open field to our right and 
rear. It was about half a mile back to the top of the hill and 
running up hill was not easy work for a dismounted Cavalry- 
man. The Rebel skirmish line that was in front of us was 
advancing and those in the woods pecking at us from our 
right, but running up hill was helping us out, as they were all 
shooting low. The minnie balls and gravel were flying around 
our feet and as Charlie Holmes said as he and I were making 
our best time side by side, "Sandy, this makes a fellow pick up 
his feet mighty quick, don't it." George Ferris and Al. Shot- 
well were better on foot or had better wind than Holmes and 
I, for they reached the top of the hill first, but they did not 
have to wait long for us. When we got to the top of the hill we 
saw our Infantry coming out of the woods. We moved over 
towards them out of range of the Rebel line that came to the 
top of the hill, but when they saw our Infantry advancing, 
turned about and went back. We waited until our In- 
fantry came up when we went back to the top of the hill with 
them. Shotwell and I retired to the shade of a tree to rest, 

173 



thinking we would see an Infantry battle. Ferris and Holmes 
went back with the skirmishers to get a little revenge for the 
run they had given them, but we were all disappointed, as the 
skirmishers had not reached the foot of the hill when the flag 
of truce came out and there was a happy time along the whole 



line. We then went over 
horses. 



to our right to our command and 




17< 




1864. 

WlIvIvIAM H. POLLARD, 

Co. "D." 
Charlotte, Eaton Co., Mich. 

Born July 7th, 1834, at Penzance, Cornwall County, Eng- 
land; enlisted at Charlotte, Mich., October 6th, 1862, as Pri- 
vate in Co. "D," 7th Michigan Cavalry; mustered out at Fort 
Leavenworth, Kansas, December 15th, 1865, and honorably 
discharged. 



175 



KILPATRICK'S RAID AROUND RICHMOND. 
By William H. Pollard. 

About sundown on the evening of the 28th of February, 
1864, we left Stevensburg on a forced march, I in command 
of Headquarters' wagon; everything went well, we did not 
halt or stop until about noon on the 29th, when the General 
decided that we would take a lunch, but when we looked into 
the wagon there were no eatables there. During the night I 
had taken in two dismounted men to give them a lift and they 
had taken all there was to eat and drink and skipped. "I think 
they belonged to the 6th Michigan Cavalry." I do not think 
any of the men of the 7th Michigan would have clone so mean 
a trick. As there was nothing to eat we stopped but a short 
time and about two o'clock that night we went into camp. Not 
knowing how long we were to remain, I thought I would im- 
prove whatever time there was and take a nap, which I did. 
Had only slept a short time when I woke up and found the fires 
all out and headquarters gone, leaving me behind. I was ar 
a loss to know what to do, as it was a very dark, uncomfortable 
and disagreeable night and dangerous to be left behind and 
alone, so concluded the safest thing to do was to start my mules 
and get out, but did not know which way to go. I finally 
decided to direct my course toward a fire I saw in the distance, 
which on reaching proved to be a fire left by some of the 
column that had already passed by. Unfortunately, there was 
a ditch between me and the fire well filled with water and on 
account of the darkness I missed the bridge that crossed it ami 
the first thing I knew my saddle mule and myself went over 
the bank into the water. My position was very uncomfortable 
and critical, as I feared every moment the Johnnies would put 
in an appearance. The only chance I saw for my relief and re- 
lease was to unload the wagon, which I did, then the mules 
were able to get us out. Making a circuit I came around and 
struck the bridge all right and soon got near the fire that I saw. 

176 



The officer of the rear guard halted me to know what was 
coming. I answered, "The General's wagon." He said I was 
just in time, and getting in ahead of them I felt all right once 
more. I followed in the wake of the column and about noon 
got inside of the second line of fortifications. There was a 
splendid park and several nice houses around in it. At this 
point a negro appeared, having driven out from the city on his 
way for his Missus. He had a splendid carriage and two 
played out mules. He informed me that he came out after his 
Missus every week, she being out here to visit her daughter, 
said he did not expect we-uns all up there that morning, if he 
had he would have stayed back in the city. Two sick officers 
took possession of the rig and started on their way to York- 
town. My mules were tired and hungry, so I decided to do 
some foraging in order to replace the ten sacks of oats that I 
left back in the ditch. I found plenty of corn and also some 
nice chickens in a hen-house. There were four ladies at the 
residence; they did not raise many objections to my entering 
the coop ; I think there must have been from four to five hun- 
dred as nice chickens as I ever saw, and eggs without number, 
I judged they had not gathered them for a day or two. I 
did not go very heavy on the pullets, took five nice ones and 
what eggs I could stow away and left the rest for some of the 
other boys. We soon started on the advance, moved to the 
right and continued our march until about ten o'clock, when 
we went into camp. Our advance was surprised and routed 
and a great number went by headquarters on a double quick, 
this continued for some time when the General ordered his 
horse and mounted. He continued in the saddle and waited 
sometime, apparently for his staff to report, but as they did not 
put in an appearance he concluded to get out and told me to 
come ; I did not want the second invitation. He and I, I think, 
were the only two in the yard where our camp was. After a 
march of a mile or so I overtook the General, where a line had 

177 



been formed, and we then moved in column for about three 
miles and again went into camp. As we had not had any chance 
to make coffee I concluded to make some and cook my pullets. 
Having a large camp kettle I concluded to cook the whole of 
them, so got them ready and had them nicely boiling when an 
officer of our Regiment came and asked me if I had anything 
to eat. He said he presumed he was like all the rest of the com- 
mand, very hungry. Pretty soon he espied the pot and smelled 
the chickens and wanted to know if that was mine ; I told him it 
was. He did not wait for an invitation, but got his knife and 
fork and began operations, remarking that he preferred his 
chicken rare and said the trouble with the boys was they cooked 
them too much. After he had been eating some time he said 
if I had no objections he would go over and get the rest of his 
mess and we would all have a good square meal. I of course 
acquiesced with his request, but when we were through there 
was very little left. We soon continued our march and over- 
took the officers who took the darkey's rig, which they drove 
until the mules played out, when they left the carriage by the 
side of the road and I took it in tow and hauled it through to 
Yorktown, where the General made the Commander of the 
Fort a present of it. 

So ended our Raid to Richmond. 



178 




1 862. 



1902. 



Geo. W. Dobson, 

Co. "D." 

Litchfield, Mich. 

Born at Stainton, Durham County, England, September 
12th, 1843 ; enlisted at Kalamo, Eaton County, Mich., Septem- 
ber 1st, 1802, as Private in Co. "D," 7th Michigan Cavalry; 
was wounded by having a horse fall on me the first day of 
March, 1861-, near Richmond, Va. ; taken prisoner the second 
day of March, 1861, served part of the time at Belle Isle and 
the other part in Hospital ; paroled April 16th, 1864, and joined 
Regiment July 20th, 1861; mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, 
Kansas, December 15th, 1865, and honorably discharged. 



179 



WITH GENERALS SHERIDAN AND CUSTER. OCT. 19, 1864. 
By George W. Dobson. 

The evening of October 18th, 1864, I and a detail were 
with Captain Jas. G. Birney at Winchester, Va., with new men 
and horses for the front from Dismounted Camp at Harper's 
Ferry. As I was a friend of Captain Birney I tented with him. 
On the morning of October 19th, 1864, we heard the roar of 
guns in the direction of Cedar Creek, which was twenty miles 
away. I reported what I had heard to Captain Birney as we 
rode over to General Sheridan's Headquarters, and as he was 
desirous of going to the front, he detailed a Sergeant to tnke 
command of the men and horses ; he and I then went to the 
front with General Sheridan. I shall never forget that ride; 
how we met men of the 8th Corps in their shirts and drawers 
and in a general demoralized condition. On the way General 
Sheridan said, "We are going back to our old camps to-night." 
When General Custer met General Sheridan on the field he 
saluted him with these words, "Looks as though we are gone 
up to-day." General Sheridan said, "The right will prevail." 
Custer replied, "We will go back to our old camps to-night or I 
will sacrifice every man in my division, and I will go with 
them." Those who were there know that we did go back to 
our old camp. If we had had two hours more of sun not a 
Rebel would have gotten out of that valley. 



180 







31. • 



WmwKw 



1863 



1878. 



Frank Milbourn, 
Co. "D." 

Potterville, Eaton Co., Mich. 

Born in London, England, May 3, 1848 ; enlisted at 
Charlotte, Eaton County, Mich., January 23, 1863, as Pri- 
vate in Co. "D," 7th Michigan Cavalry; wounded at Gettys- 
burg, July 3, 1863, in the stomach; taken prisoner at Gettys- 
burg, July 3, 1863, at four o'clock, and escaped at ten o'clock 
that night ; mustered out at Washington, D. C, November 
23rd, 1865, and honorably discharged. 



181 



EXCITING RECOLLECTIONS. 

By Frank Milbourn. 

I was with the Regiment from the time it left the State 
until August, after the Battle of Gettysburg, when I was 
taken sick with typhoid fever at Falmouth, Va., and was sent 
to Washington, D. C. When General Custer took command 
of our Brigade I was detailed as his Orderly; was with him 
when he led our old Regiment in the charge on the last clay of 
the three days' fight at Gettysburg. 

Was taken prisoner about four p. m. on the 3rd of July, 
the Rebs took me about six miles with about 50 of our boys, 
including George Mason of my Company, who afterwards 
died in Andersonville. The Rebs gave me my supper, it was 
flour, but looked more like mill sweepings. I asked them how 
I should fix it so I could eat it ; they told me to mix it up with 

water and eat it, that was good enough for a d Yankee. 

but I did not. They formed a guard around us at dark ; along 
in the evening they passed through our guard line with heavy 
artillery, and as one piece passed near me I got on a cannon 
and rode out. It being dark they did not notice me and I 
escaped and returned to my Regiment. I thanked God they 
did not see me. George Mason could have gotten away with 
me if he had had a mind to, but he feared he would be killed. 
The Regiment that captured me was the 5th Georgia Infantry. 

On the night of July 4th, myself and Lieutenant Little- 
field, of Custer's Staff, located the enemy's train and our 
Command captured it. 

At Falling Waters I was with TO of our Regiment who 
captured 400 prisoners, I taking five of them to the rear; on 
the way one of them, an officer, tried to get a pistol from out 
his pocket to shoot me, but 1 saw him in time to disarm him, 
which probably saved my life. 

182 







1895. 

Albert H. Olm stead, 
Co. "D." 

St. Louis, Mich. 

Born October 15th, 1845, at Windsor, Eaton County, 
Mich. ; enlisted at Charlotte, Eaton County, Mich., September 
9th, 1864, as Private in Co. "D," 7th Michigan Cavalry; mus- 
tered out at Detroit, Mich.. August 16th, 1865, and honorably 
discharged. 



183 




1901. 

Edwin O. Russell, 
Co. "D." 

Grand Ledge. Mich. 

Born at Portland. Ionia Co., Mich., March 16th, 1844; 
enlisted at Grand Ledge, Eaton Comity, Mich., January 24th, 
1865, as private in Co. "D," 7th Michigan Cavalry; commis- 
sioned as Recruiting Officer by Governor Blair, March 20th. 
1864; mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, December 
15th, 1865, and honorably discharged. 

WATCHING FOR J WILKES BOOTH. 
By Edwin O. Russell. 

At "Belle Island Ford,'' on the Potomac, a few miles below 
"Point of Rocks," Md., in the Spring of 1865, Sergeant John 
F. Simpson, of Co. "M," with some twelve or fifteen men were 
guarding this Ford. On the day after the assassination of 

184 



President Lincoln, about 2 o'clock in the afternoon, an officer 
came riding down the towpath, his horse on the dead run and 
covered with foam. Halting in front of our tent he called for 
Sergeant Simpson and told us of the assassination. He said 
Booth with a body guard of thirty men were making for our 
Ford and ordered extra precautions to be taken to intercept 
and capture him "dead or alive." I was one of those detailed 
to patrol the towpath from our post to the next above. A 
dense fog soon set in and night came on dark and gloomy, so 
dark that it was impossible to see the brass buttons on our dark 
blue coats. I had made one trip over my beat and was slowrv 
feeling my way along about midway of my second when a 
heavy plunge in the canal surprised and startled me. My cap 
rose clear off my head, invisible fingers pullel at every hair, 
my nerves grew suddenly tense, and my first thought was. 
"Here they come — fire ! quick ! — give the alarm !" A second 
impulse said, "No, wait a moment," all of which went hum- 
ming through my brain with lightning speed. Booth is here, 
what should I do ; what would one of the "old boys" do. Keep 
cool, my boy, you are a recruit. Don't fire yet ; be sure before 
you give the alarm. How fast thoughts came and crowded 
each other. I could hear loud rippling of the water in the 
canal; they were surely crossing, right here. Pulling myself 
together with an effort, I raised the hammer of my carbine, 
pulling the trigger at the same time to prevent loud clicking 
of the lock, stepped quickly down the bank toward the river, 
dropped on one knee, held my carbine ready to fire, and waited. 
How long it seemed, and how dark — if I could only see. The 
strain was terrible. I was breathing hard and thinking fast 
of what would occur when they came out on the towpath. 
Fire — give the alarm — and then jump farther down the bank 
toward the river when their shots would go over me; dodge 
about among some trees and stay there until the "boys" came, 
even if I were killed for it. Something scrambled noisily out 

185 



of the canal; I sprang to my feet; it came straight towards me 
with a bound and a shake that threw sprays of water all around 
and over me. and my scare was over. I dropped the butt of 
my carbine on the towpath as a large Newfoundland dog put 
his forepaws almost on my shoulders. The dog belonged to a 
negro family near by. I was weak and trembling, but was 
proud to think that I had not given a false alarm. 

This experience gave -me confidence in myself during the 
balance of my service, whether on picket or other duty, while 
crossing the plains, or on the mountains among hostile Indians 
of the then far West. However, the incident was not reported 
to Serjeant Simpson until thirty years later. 




186 




1901. 

CORYDOX CROSSETT, 

Co. "D." 

27. N. Jefferson St.. Battle Creek. Mich. 

Born at Clarendon, Orleans Comity, X. Y., February 28th, 
1833 ; made application to muster as a U. S. soldier May 15th, 
1861, was refused owing to imdersize; enlisted at Battle 
Creek, Mich., February 21st, 1865; mustered at Jackson, 
Mich.. March 1st, 1865, in Co. "D," 7th Michigan Volunteer 
Cavalry; joined my Regiment at Harper's Ferry, Ya.. on active 
duty and remained with them through the campaign of the 
West; mustered out at Salt Lake City, Utah. March 10th, 
1866, and honorably discharged. 



187 




1865 



1900 



Judge George P. Cobb, 
Co. "D." 

Bay City, Mich. 

Born at York, Livingston County, N. Y., April 13th, 1841; 
enlisted at Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, Mich., March 17th, 
1865, as Private in Co. "D," 7th Michigan Cavalry; mustered 
out at Camp Douglas, Utah, February 21st, 1866, and honor- 
ably discharged. 



188 



REMINISCENCES. 
By Geo. P. Cobb. 

One who joined the service during the last year of the war 
can perhaps say little that will interest the veterans, or add zest 
to what has been said by them ; and it is with great diffidence 
that I have complied with our President's request for reminis- 
cences. Although identified for some time with the grand old 
7th Michigan Cavalry I can say nothing from personal knowl- 
edge of its battles and campaigns in the South. 

A wish to be "in it" had followed me from the first, resolu- 
tions to get in had been thwarted and I had finally settled down 
to the belief that I was to have no part in the business. Early 
in 1865 there was another loud call for recruits, it seemed as 
though the final struggle was at hand, and I dropped every- 
thing, incurring losses that will never be repaid, offered myself 
as a soldier and was accepted. 

A few days later my squad was at Fort Federal Hill, Balti- 
more, Mel., from whence a steamer conveyed us to City Point, 
Va., being two nights on the route. We had practically noth- 
ing to eat or drink ; the fault was supposed to be that of the 
officer in command, 'not a Michigan man," and the things that 
were said about him and to him could have led to a court mar- 
tial. The second night, owing to the crowded and filthy condi- 
tion of the deck, I did not lie down, but stood at a little window 
staring at the rain, thick darkness and flashes of artillery out- 
side. 

After our arrival and having been duly counted, delivered 
and receipted for, we, in company with a thousand other sol- 
diers and exchanged prisoners, were entertained for a week at 
the military hotel called the "bull pen." The mud was not verv 
deep and our water barrels were replenished almost every day 
from the river. Then our squad was transferred to a remount 
camp two or three miles down the river, where we sometimes 

189 



heard firing and hourly expected an order to take a hand 
(which order never came). 

At that time the Custer Brigade was pretty well scattered. 
The main body was at the front not far away. A detachment 
was at Pleasant Valley, Md., and in our camp at "City Point" 
was another large detachment; also with us about 2,000 other 
dismounted Cavalrymen. The camp was under command of 
Colonel Anderson, a Pennsylvanian. Whenever we could get 
a few horses, men were sent to their Regiments. It so hap- 
pened, without any solicitation or suggestion of mine, that my 
duties kept me almost continually at headquarters; at first in 
the Quartermaster's department and afterwards in the Adju- 
tant's. At that camp I made the acquaintance of many com- 
missioned and enlisted men for whom I formed a high regard, 
but most of whom I have not seen since 1866. The Michigan 
detachment was commanded by Major Darling, Lieutenant 
Gray of the 5th Michigan Cavalry acting as his Adjutant. On 
duty in the camp were Lieutenants Canfield and Havens, 
Captains Sergeant and McCormick of the 7th, Captain Rocka- 
fellow of the 6th, and Captain Berdan and Lieutenant White. 
all good men and true, and I must not forget old Dr. Upjohn. 
From the first I heard him roundly abused and denounced as a 
butcher, but my own acquaintance, which began when I was 
desperately sick, left me with feelings of the highest respect 
and good will for him as a kindly, generous old man. 

One night there was riot in the camp. Three large sutler's 
tents disappeared with their contents as if by magic. Bullets 
were buzzing around like bees. Colonel Anderson's adjutant- 
found it convenient to leave the camp that night and he was 
never seen there again. One man went to hospital, seriously 
w< mnded. 

Late in May, "just too late for the Grand Review," there 
was a trip to Washington by steamer, thence to Parkersburg, 
W. Va., by rail, another boat excursion to St. Louis, Mo., and 

190 



then to Fort Leavenworth, Kan. Up to this time I had be- 
longed to the 5th, but while I was wandering around looking 
for that Regiment, Captain Sergeant met and informed me 
that I had been transferred to Co. "B" of the 7th, and kindly 
went with me to my Company and introduced me to the First 
Sergeant, George A. Hart, also just transferred from the 5th, 
who then and there detailed me for clerical work. 

A week there and then the long march across the plains. 
There was much that was tedious but little that was exciting, 
excepting on one occasion when we were fording Platte River, 
when Colonel Briggs missed the trail and he and horse sud- 
denly disappeared. We feared that some big fish had caught 
the horse by the foot and pulled him under, but they soon ap- 
peared on the surface, found the trail again and the excitement 
subsided. 

July 28th found us at Camp Collins, where, I think, three 
Companies, "H," "L" and one other, remained. My Company 
("B") going further West, but at the last moment an order 
came for me to remain and report to Lieutenant Dunnett. I 
found that Dunnett had been detailed as Adjutant of the post 
and wanted me as his clerk. Colonel Briggs made Camp Col- 
lins his headquarters and whenever he was absent Major War- 
ner was the senior officer. Captain Clipperton was there and 
on one occasion when there was a burial service to- be read and 
no Chaplain to read it or book to read it from, he made himself 
useful by reciting the service complete, from memory. Some 
little awkwardness of the firing squad moved him to throw in 
some expressions not found in the prayer-book and he made 
them load and fire again. 

The Paymaster had forgotten us and we were in need of 
money. Prices were soaring in the clouds. Money sent from 
home seldom reached its owner. Something had to be done. 
The corn furnished to feed our horses could be sold for ten 
dollars a bushel. One day Colonel Briggs accidentally found 

191 



himself in a position to hear a conversation just around a cor- 
ner and out of his sight, in which Billy Fisher, Co. "H," was 
negotiating the sale of a bushel of corn to a citizen. The 
Colonel held his breath until he was sure the ten dollars had 
changed hands, when he appeared before the men, revolver in 
hand and ordered the citizen to drop the bag and run. He 
then marched to his office the very picture of offended military 
dignity, and directed his orderly to summon Mr. Fisher before 
him without delay. Billy came. Whether the Colonel tied him 
up by the thumbs or bucked and gagged him or devised some 
other cruel form of torture was never told, but in a few minutes 
Billy returned to his quarters looking happy and contented and 
nothing more was heard of the affair. 

During the ten weeks at Camp Collins an event that pro- 
duced the greatest sensation and sorrow was the capture, 
torture and murder of Corporal George Baker, of Co. "B," by 
Indians, near Little Laramie, by tying him to his wagon and 
burning him alive. 

In October a portion of our Regiment pushed on Westward. 
Snowed in one day at Rock Creek. Camped a few days on 
Pass Creek among droves of antelope and flocks of wild ducks. 
Was poisoned for a week with the villainous waters of Bitter 
Creek. Half frozen on the bluffs of Green River, and finally 
camped near Fort Bridger for three weeks. Here occurred the 
reorganization, or consolidation, by which the remnants of the 
1st, 5th, 6th and 7th became one full Regiment, under the 
name of 1st Michigan Veteran Cavalry. Four Companies were 
left at Fort Bridger and the others marched to the Salt Lake 
Valley, taking possession of Camp Douglas near Salt Lake 
City. The Paymaster had not come yet and the boys were 
hungry for something better than army rations. Many of thern 
had plenty of Confederate scrip. The farmers of the Valley 
knew nothing about paper money and were intensely ignorant 
generally. They invaded the camp with their wagons loaded 

192 



with vegetables and fruit, going away with pockets full of bills, 
leaving behind considerable silver change. But that did not 
last long. 

The garrison was made up of Michigan and Nevada Cav- 
alry and Artillery from California, all a lot of "Galvanized 
Yankees." Each had its own organization and all reported to 
Colonel Potter, commanding the post. He was a good man, or 
meant to be, but his West Point training had made something 
of a martinet of him and he could not appreciate the feelings 
of volunteers who had served to the end of the war and long 
afterwards and wanted to go home. He had plenty of trouble 
and deserved part of it. 

Just after our arrival there was a grand review of all the 
troops and as it seemed to me chiefly remarkable for the dis- 
played awkwardness. 

Commissary supplies were necessarily expensive. The Gov- 
ernment had stored in an immense wooden building about 
$1,000,000 worth. During the night of December 18th, 1865, 
it was found to be on fire. Everybody turned out and a bucket 
brigade was organized and did what could be done, but much 
property was destroyed and all were more or less injured. 
Early the next morning a court of inquiry was convened to 
examine witnesses to find out how the fire originated, and it 
continued in session until midnight. Lieutenant Dunnett, then 
in command of Co. "B," predicted that we would all be hungry 
before spring, but before daylight General Conner's Quarter- 
master had contracted for a large amount of supplies in the 
city and our rations never failed. 

January 1st, 1866, a general court martial convened and it 
had not finished its work when I left the camp on February 21. 
I did all the clerical work for these two courts and one other, 
while practically doing all the work of the Adjutant's office. 
After Colonel Briggs left, Captain Birney had command of the 
Michigan detachment. His Adjutant was Lieutenant Frank 

193 



B. Clark, then only twenty years of age. During four years of 
hard service, Lieutenant Clark had not been wounded, but 
soon after his discharge, while on the homeward trip, he 
stumbled and fell over a tent rope and was killed by the dis- 
charge of his own revolver. 

I have mentioned many of our commissioned officers, but T 
also remember many brave, big-hearted men who, although 
they never wore shoulder straps, were excellent soldiers and 
men, and worthy of all praise. At this moment the names oc- 
curring to me are Sergeant George A. Hart, Co. "B ;" Ser- 
geant Marshall Bellinger, Co. "A;" Sergeant Al. McLouth, 
Co. "B;" Sergeant Crane, Co. "E ;" Robert J. Kelley, Co. "F;" 
George House, Walter E. Bush, Otto Feyeraben, John Paul, 
Co. "I." 




194 





1900 



1864 

RoswEivL Hartley Holmes, 

Captain Co. "E." 
23 Joy St., Detroit, Mich. 
Detroit, Mich. 

Born at Holmesville, Oswego County, N. Y., November 
25th, 1838; enlisted at Detroit, Michigan, August 10th, 1862, 
as Second Lieutenant in Co. "E," 7th Michigan Cavalry ; pro- 
moted to First Lieutenant September 18th, 1863, on the field 
at Summerville Ford, Va., as per the following order, read 
to the Regiment at the close of the action : 

"Second Lieutenant Roswell H. Holmes, Co. "E," 7th 
Michigan Cavalry, in reward for gallant conduct in the repulse 
of the foe in the late desperate attack on our lines, where he 
was most conspicuous in rallying back our forces, scattered 
and retiring before the vastly superior numbers of the enemy 
exultant over the defeat of the gallant 6th Michigan, and for 
efficiency is hereby promoted to be First Lieutenant, to rank 
as such from the first day of August, 1863. He will be re- 
spected and obeyed accordingly. Signed, W. D. Mann, Col." 

Promoted to Captain for gallantry in action while in com- 

196 



mand of 2nd Battalion October 9th, 1863, when the 6th 
Michigan Cavalry was withdrawn and the 7th Michigan, 
under command of Colonel W. D. Mann, charged a Rebel 
force in front of Orange Court House, Va. ; "not mustered as 
Captain;" taken prisoner at Buckland Mills, Va., October 
19th, 1863, and escaped two days later by running Rebel 
guard,; owing to ill-health resigned March 28th, 186-1, and 
honorably discharged. 



PERSONAL EXPERIENCE ON "KILPATRICK'S RAID TO 
RICHMOND— 1864." 

By Roswell H. Holmes. 

The date was Sunday, the last of February, 1864, a 
bright, crisp winter's day. The place S'tevensburg, near 
Culpeper, Va. Kilpatrick's Division, Cavalry Corps, Army 
of the Potomac, in winter quarters. 

An Aide from the temporary Commander of Custer's Bri- 
gade rides swiftly down the front of the 7th — halts sharply at 
Colonel Litchfield's quarters and delivers an order. This 
order was : "Report your Regiment at General Kilpatrick's 
Headquarters promptly at sundown." 

During the previous week, rumors had been rife of some 
impending movement. Orders had been given to each Regi- 
ment of the Division to select such officers, men and horses 
only as were fit for severe service, all missing equipments to 
be replaced, and extra horse shoes and nails provided. Con- 
sequently, the General's order to assemble occasioned no sur- 
prise, but much excitement and curiosity as to our destination. 

In the absence of our Adjutant, who had gone to Michigan 
on important service, I was detailed to the duties of that offi- 
cer, and at sundown moved the Regiment and reported it at 

197 



the appointed place. Within an hour a force of about five 
thousand picked men and horses, including Pennington's and 
Elder's Batteries, five ambulances and five army wagons, with 
ample supplies of ammunition, powder and turpentine, moved 
swiftly to Ely's Ford on the Rapidan. 

The 7th had the rear of the column and while crossing the 
river met the captured Confederate pickets, who had all been 
surprised and taken by the advance, and were now prisoners 
under guard going to the rear. 

All night long with the 7th it was first a halt, then a horse 
race to keep closed up on the column. At early dawn on Mon- 
day, a brief halt — just long enough for the 7th to boil their 
coffee, but not to drink it. Into canteens it was hastily poured, 
while imperative orders were to "Mount" and forward again 
at a gallop. All day long and far into the second night there 
were the briefest halts — then "Forward, Trot" — or "Forward, 
Gallop." Past midnight we went into bivouac for a scant two 
hours — then a hurried "Mount" and forward again at a gal- 
lop into the darkness and the rain. Pushing on by obscure 
roads that wound through dense forests, morning found the 
outside men in each set of fours of the 7th nearly all bare- 
headed — for the limbs of trees bordering the road, weighted 
down by the rain, had brushed off the head covering of the 
men in their saddles on the march. 

As the second day wore on, already many horses suc- 
cumbed to the terrific strain of such a desperately forced 
march. When a trooper found that his steed would no longer 
respond to the spur, but would stagger with exhaustion, the 
unfortunate rider could only dismount, strip off his saddle and 
bridle, throw them on his shoulder, cling to the stirrup of 
some more lucky comrade, and hope for a mount. King 
Richard's "My kingdom for a horse" was trifling compared to 
the dismounted Cavalryman's offers for a like necessity. 
Women were met driving perhaps a single horse, or, better 

198 



luck for our boys, a team; they were stopped, their horses un- 
harnessed, saddled, mounted and in the column before the be- 
wildered women could realize their misfortune. If horses or 
colts were seen in a field, they were instantly corralled and put 
into service. 

Up to this time, the destination of this dashing and hazard- 
ous raid was known only to the Commanding General and his 
Staff Officers. Major Farnham Lyon was a Volunteer Quar- 
termaster on Kilpatrick's Staff, and from him I learned that 
it was "On to Richmond;" our object, to make a dash into the 
city, liberate the prisoners in Libby and blow up and destroy 
what would most damage the Confederate Government. We 
also learned that in order to draw the attention of the enemy 
away from our movements and allow us to take Richmond by 
surprise, General Custer with a special force had gone to at- 
tack the Confederate Reserve Artillery and keep Fitzhugh 
Lee too busy to hinder our movements. Also that Colonel 
Ulrich Dahlgren, a brilliant Cavalry officer, son of Admiral 
Dahlgren, of the Navy, had been detached with five hundred 
Cavalry for the desperate duty of attacking Richmond from 
the south side, while we dashed in from the north, ; and a still 
farther part of the plan of operations was for General Benja- 
min F. Butler with a strong force of Infantry to join us after 
the attack and cover the retreat of Kilpatrick's exhausted 
command. 

Before noon of Tuesday we struck the railroad, where we 
barely missed capturing General R. E. Lee, whose train was 
backed away in time to admit of his escape. Later in the after- 
noon we reached the immediate vicinity of Richmond. Pass- 
ing through the outer line of unoccupied earthworks, we could 
see Kilpatrick with the 1st Brigade and the two Batteries, 
feeling the strength of the enemy at their second line of de- 
fense. At this moment the 7th Cavalry with the gallant and 
impetuous Colonel Litchfield in their front, stood in line with 

199 



sabres drawn, ready for the General's order to "Charge." No 
signals had been received from Colonel Dahlgren that he was 
ready to attack on the south side and thus weaken the force 
opposing us, so General Kilpatrick decided to withdraw, which 
he did, towards Mechanicsville (six miles from Richmond) 
where, after placing pickets from the 7th the entire command 
went into bivouac. Late at night our pickets were driven in 
and our position shelled by forces under command of General 
Wade Hampton. The intrepid Litchfield himself led his Regi- 
ment to drive back the enemy and restore the picket line. In 
the mud and snow and dense darkness, with shells bursting 
among our men and among the horses hitched to trees in our 
bivouac, bravely fighting to hold his position, Colonel Litch- 
field, Captain Clark, Lieutenant Ingersoll, Sergeant David 
Genny and forty-four men of the 7th were captured. 

Under cover of the dark and stormy night and the stub- 
born fighting of our men, General Kilpatrick with the main 
body of his command hastily retreated towards the 
Rappahannock. Unable to find any commanding officer to 
give orders or directions, I did what I could to gather cur 
scattered companies together and finding the trail of the re- 
treating column, we followed on through the night in much 
excusable disorder. Overtaking the main body of our expedi- 
tion, we soon realized our crippled condition, and learned he 
extent of our losses in officers, men, horses and equipments. 

Wednesday afternoon we reached White House Landing 
on the Pamunkey River, where we stopped to rest and feed the 
command. Here the remnant of Dahlgren's force rejoined us. 
I had placed pickets at a small stream some distance back on 
the route we had come. A challenge from our pickets to a 
force approaching from our rear revealed the fact that these 
were Dahlgren's men. 

Here while we halted at White House Landing, I con- 
sulted the officers of the 7th and in view of the fact that we 

200 



now had no Field or Staff Officers present for duty, I asked 
Colonel Preston, who commanded our Brigade, to detail 
Major Wells of the 1st Vermont to the command of the 7th, 
until our return to Stevensburg, which he did. 

When General Kilpatrick resumed his retreat at sundown 
of Wednesday, we had been in the saddle all but sixteen hours 
out of the seventy-two since we started. 

In my narration of this raid I am now nearing a point at 
which my personal knowledge of it comes to an end. En- 
feebled by illness preceding this expedition, a serious accident 
together with exhaustion, now caused my collapse. And here 
I wish to pay tribute to a man who was always a good soldier 
and a brave, competent officer, whose modesty is only equaled 
by his valor. While halted near the Pamunkey River, I was 
laid on the ground, unconscious and in convulsions; Surgeon 
Richards was unable to secure any place for me in an amb- 
bulance; a friend and comrade took the contents of my pock- 
ets and my sabre, gave them to Sergeant Major Carver to send 
home to my parents, and bidding his comrades good bye, let 
the command go on, while he remained with the unconscious 
body of his friend — to meet certain capture and probable 
death. "Greater love than this no man hath, that he lay down 
his life for his friend." 

I deem myself derelict in my duty, that I have not sooner 
given this testimony to the heroism of your brave and modest 
comrade, Captain W. H. Fisher. It is your good fortune and 
mine that Comrade Captain Fisher is still with us, for, Kil- 
patrick finding the Pamunkey impassable, countermarched his 
columns and passing near Captain Fisher gave up his am- 
bulance, in which I was carried to Yorktown and there placed 
in hospital by Surgeon Richards and Captain Fisher, to whom 
I owe the privilege of being able at this late day to tell the 
story of a great Raid and recount the perils and the heroism 
of the men and officers of the 7th, incident thereto. 

201 






1863 1895 

George W. McCormick, 

Captain Co. ''E." 
21 West 106th St., New York City. 

Born in Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, Mich., May 19th, 
1838; enlisted at Kalamo, Eaton County, Mich., October 28th, 
1862, as Private in Co. "D," 7th Michigan Cavalry; was pro- 
moted to Quartermaster-Sergeant November 29th, 1862, to 
Second Lieutenant June 6th, 1863, to First Lieutenant June 
13th, 1863, and to Captain May 21th, 1865; was wounded at 
Rapidan River November 25th, 1803, being shot in neck; at 
White Post, "In the Valley," in right arm, face and body by 
sabre and shell ; was taken prisoner at Buckland Mills, October 
19th, 1863, and got away, again at Banks Ford, they let me go ; 
was mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., December 15th, 
L865, muster out countermanded, final discharge November 
1 1th. 1869, at Washington, D. C, and honorably discharged. 

202 



REMINISCENCES. 
By Captain George W. McCormick. 

When we look back nearly forty years and try to remember 
things that took place then it is difficult to write about the Civil 
War and the part the grand "Old 7th" Michigan Cavalry took 
in it from 1863 to 1805. If all could be written it would fill 
volumes and no one person could do it justice. 

What more glory can a man want than to be able to say that 
he was a member of the 7th Michigan Cavalry which, no doubt, 
saw as many battles and skirmishes as any Regiment in the 
Union Army. A few of the battles, commencing with Gettys- 
burg, July 3rd, fighting all day and night, going through the 
mountain pass to Hagerstown ; 6th, hard fight at the latter 
place; 8th, at Boonsboro and Williamsport ; 9th, another fight 
at Hagerstown ; 14th, at Falling Waters, next Amosville, Cul- 
pepper, James City, Jack's Shop, Hawe's Shop, Brandy Station, 
Morton Ford, Raccoon Ford, Groveton, Wilderness, Spottsyl- 
vania, Beaver Dam Station, and, by the way, the first shot fired at 
Spottsylvania was at a detachment of the 7th ; then came Yellow 
Tavern, where we lost poor Major Granger; then Mechanics- 
ville, Old Church, Coal Harbor, Malvern Hill, Trevilian Sta- 
tion, and, by the way, I think that the hardest battle of the War 
for the number of men engaged ; then Meadow Bridge, Kil- 
patrick's Raid and the Grant Campaign, commencing May 4th, 
1SG4. When we crossed Mine Run there was not one day for 
over a month that the Regiment was not under fire, and I often 
think of a remark a recruit made who had joined us just before 
we started on this campaign ; he said, "Soldiering was not such a 
d — n soft thing after all, fighting at 40 cents a day, when he 
could get 75 cents a day at home hoeing corn." He was in dead 
earnest ; from what he had seen he supposed we began fighting 
every morning regular, the same as a man worked on a farm. 
Then came our troubles on the Tames River and around Peters- 



burg and Black Water. 



203 



For a long time it had been running in my mind that I would 
have to do something or I would be ordered before a military 
commission. You see, unfortunately, I happened to be born 
"Irish," and to cap the climax was red-headed, and I knew 
something had to be done to bring me up to the standard, so I 
got all the money together I could raise and bought me a trunk 
and filled it with fine clothes ; they were the pride of my life, and 
no wonder, they were the first that I had ever had and I was 
sure when I put them on my time with the "Old 7th" would be 
short, and to tell the truth that was the reason I delayed day 
after day. Of course I had to tell someone of the great sur- 
prise I was going to spring on the boys ; all remember an honest 
kind of a fellow who was known by the name of Sproul; I 
think he studied some time or other for the ministry. I told him 
my secret ; he said it was a good thing, but that it would be sure 
to make more or less trouble, as every commanding officer would 
want me on his staff, but we finally decided that it would work 
out all right, as I would likely be called to Washington on some 
special service ; those clothes were the idol of my eyes. Sproul 
wanted me to let him wear them, but I would not ; you may think 
it was selfish in me not to loan them to him, but at that time he 
and Major Warner were quarrelling and they sometimes would 
use knives, and I was afraid my clothes might be ruined. While 
we were marching along the James River I discovered a fine 
fishing place out on a point and decided to try it as soon as we 
got into camp ; without waiting for supper I started for the point. 
I found it a hard place to get to on account of tangled vines, 
brush and dry creeks, which we crossed on poles, Lieutenant 
Knight being with me. We had not been there long when 
water began running into my boots over the tops ; we looked for 
land and there was none in sight, so we started for camp. We 
labored all night, the dry creeks we crossed in going had plenty 
of water in them when we came back. We got to camp just in 
time to hear "Boots and Saddles," and everyone, except a small 

204 



guard, were ready to start on a raid to Black Water, we having 
no time to change our clothes or get anything to eat. We were 
gone a number of days, had a hard trip, came back ragged and 
covered with the soldiers' pests ; but there was one happy man in 
the crowd, for I had decided that this was my time. I would 
throw away all my old clothes, get a bath and shave, put on my 
new suit and be the envy of all. What a change is sometimes 
brought about in a short space of time; when we got back to 
camp we found that Mosby had been there, carried off nearly 
everything we had, cut the lock out of my trunk, "it being sole 
leather,'' leaving nothing but one paper collar. Can you blame 
me for being pleased when we were ordered to take transports 
to a point near Washington, as Early was getting disagreeably 
near the Capital ? 

Then came the campaign of the Shenandoah Valley. We 
met Early in force, first, at Sheppardstown, then Smithfield, 
where we lost Lieutenant Mead; then Front Royal, where 
Lieutenant Carver was killed; then Winchester, where Major 
Brewer was killed. After Winchester I was away until about 
the first of January, having been wounded the day Carver was 
killed ; on my return I was on a raid with Colonel Maxwell, who 
had 500 men of the 1st Michigan, and it proved one of the most 
exciting of all my experiences during the War. 

The 25th day of February, 1865, we broke camp near Win- 
chester and started up the valley, and it proved to be one of the 
greatest campaigns of the War. At Gainsboro poor old Early 
saw the last of his army and left them without ever saying 
"Good-bye," very unsoldier-like. There was hard marching 
through the mud and many will remember when General Devens 
was in command of our division that we had been marching 
every night until 12 and 1 o'clock; one evening just at dark the 
column halted at the side of a beautiful piece of woods with 
plenty of rails; there we stood to horse until near morning, 

205 



when it was discovered that Devens was sound asleep on his 
horse. Of course there was some swear words uttered. 

After the War the papers had a great deal to say about the 
French Tobacco that was burned near Stanton. If they would 
give anything worth while I could tell them of our work on the 
railroad and canal around Charlottsville. I think it was as fine 
and complete as I ever saw. 

Then followed our drawing near to Petersburg, which point 
we had left nearly a year before, and where we were to see the 
end of the great struggle, far the greatest the world has ever 
known ; the "Old 7th" was at the taking of Petersburg and at 
the surrender of General Tee, and always did her full share, 
never shirking any duty. 

Why should not a man feel proud to say he was a member of 
the Tth Michigan Cavalry, and I believe there was more har- 
mony among both officers and men than any other Regiment in 
the service, and as the time goes on that comradship grows 
stronger. 

After the surrender of Lee and our good and hard service, 
we had the promise, and I think all supposed we would be the 
first troops to be mustered out, but instead we were sent west to 
fight Indians. At the time most of us were very much 
disgusted, but like good soldiers as they proved themselves they 
submitted with good grace and very little grumbling, and at 
this time I presume the majority are glad that they made the 
trip, as now they have a much better idea of this glorious coun- 
try of ours which we risked our lives to save. 

With the "Old 7th" is closely allied the 1st Cavalry. I can 
see them to-day as plain as I did on July 3rd, 1863, when under 
that brave officer, Colonel Town, they charged and helped us out 
at Gettysburg. The 5th and Oth each claim to have lost more 
men than any other Regiment in the Michigan Brigade ; be that 

206 



as it may, they saw no more active fighting nor served their 
country more faithfully than the "Old 7th." 

Since the War I have often been asked if I ever saw a dead 
Cavalryman, they saying they never had. I always said "Yes," 
then asked them what branch of the service they were in; they 
invariably said "Infantry." I tell them no wonder; to see dead 
Cavalrymen they had to go to the front; if they had ever got 
there they would have found plenty of them. 




207 




1864 1899 

Albert Crane, 

First Sergeant Co. "E." 
121 N. Prospect St., Grand Rapids, Mich. 

Born in Perm Yan, Yates County, N. Y., February 1st, 
1841 ; enlisted at Ypsilanti, Washtenaw County, Mich., Septem- 
ber 5th, 1862, as private in Co. "E," Tth Michigan Cavalry; was 
promoted to Corporal January 23rd, 1863 ; to Commissary Ser- 
geant October 1st, 1S63, and to First Sergeant June 24th, 1865 ; 
was in the engagements of Port Royal, Jack's Shop, James City, 
Brandy Station, Buckland Mills, Morgan's Ford, Richmond 
Raid, Mechanicsville, The Wilderness, Yellow Tavern, Old 
Church, Coal Harbor, Trevilian's Station, Smithfield, Cedar 
Creek, Dinwiddie Court House, Five Forks, Sailors' Creek, 
and Appomattox; also in two Indian fights with Sioux Indians, 
on the upper waters of Cache La Poudre and Laramie Creek; 
mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., December 18th, 1865, 
and honorably discharged. 

208 




1900. 

Warden W. Raymond, 

Sergeant Co. "E." 
Williamston, Mich. 

Born October 27th, 1840, at Dexter, Washtenaw County, 
Mich. ; enlisted at Wheatfield, Ingham County, Mich., Septem- 
ber 10th, 1862, as private in Co. "E," Tth Michigan Cavalry; 
was promoted to Corporal December, 1862, and to Sergeant 
February, 1863 ; was mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., 
November 9th, 1865, and was honorably discharged. 

REMINISCENCE. 
By W. W. Raymond. 

I had the distinction of being the first member of the Regi- 
ment to down a Rebel, which took place at the Marstella Farm, 
eight miles north of Warrenton Junction, Va., on a reconnoitre 
led by Colonel W. D. Mann with about forty men of his Regi- 
ment, on the 14th of May, 1863. 

209 



At Gettysburg on the 3rd of July, in the excitement of the 
hour and through the carelessness of the Rebels in our front, 
my horse was shot just as we were ordered to fall back ; through 
fear and foolishness I remained there. The Rebels advanced 
and passed me, I playing possum to keep from being taken 
prisoner until our men drove them back and let me out. Being 
dismounted I walked to Frederick City, Md., where I procured 
another horse and joined the Regiment on the 10th of July. 
On the 14th this horse was shot twice while making a charge at 
Falling Waters, Md. 

One of the most important events of my soldier life took 
place on the 14th August, 1864, at Middletown, Shenandoah 
Valley, Va. It was the execution of a spy captured by Custer's 
Command the day before, I being appointed scaffold builder and 
chief executioner of the day, not a very desirable position. I 
have forgotten the victim's name. 

I sumbit this as a bit of uncolored history of my soldier life, 
although there was enough excitement from start to finish to 
keep one from having the blues, and write volumes, but not 
enough to keep one from wanting to return home to follow and 
enjoy the peaceful pursuits of a law abiding citizen. 



210 




1862. 



1900. 



David G. Genny, 

Sergeant ,Co. "E." 
Detroit, Mich. 

Born in France, February 12th, 1842 ; emigrated with my 
parents to America in 1851; enlisted at Southfield, Oakland 
County, Mich., September 20th, 1862, as Private in Co. "E," 
7th Michigan Cavalry; promoted to Corporal in November, 
1862, Sergeant July, 1865; taken prisoner March 1st, 
1864, confined in Pemberton, Belle Isle and Libby prisons, 
paroled August 11th, 1864, joined Regiment in December, 
1864,; mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, December 
15th, 1865, and honorably discharged. 



211 



KILPATRICK'S RAID IN 1864. 
By David G. Genney. 

The "breaking" of camp and crossing of the Rapidan 
River in the dead of night, on Sunday, February 28th, 1864; 
the forty-hour gallop around Lee's Army to within the outer 
fortifications of the redoubtable Rebel Capital, arriving about 
two o'clock Tuesday afternoon; the shelling of the place by our 
"Flying" Artillery against the Johnnies' heavy siege guns ; the 
repulse and abandonment of the project of the capturing of the 
Rebel stronghold with 5,000 men; the jaded condition of oui 
horses and the final retreat of a few miles and quietly going 
into camp in a piece o>f woods right in the heart of the Southern 
Confederacy, is a story still fresh in the minds of all who took 
part in that dare-devil attempt, and has been told and retold 
by abler tongue and more graphic pen than mine; hence it is 
not my purpose in this brief sketch to give a detailed account 
of that daring and somewhat Quixotic expedition other than 
that which relates to myself. 

As soon as we went into camp and I had secured my jaded 
horse to a sapling and built a camp fire, I was intent on pro- 
curing some kind of provender for him. I followed the usual 
line of camp foragers, which led to a barn in which there were 
some corn stalks, and while groping in the darkness in this 
building, "a darker night even Tarn O'Shanter never saw," I 
heard three shots fired in close proximity to the barn and a 
man yell "Murder!" There were others who heard the 
ominous sounds, as there was an immediate exodus from that 
building and a silent hustling back to camp. I had just ar- 
rived at Co. "E's" quarters and while engaged in the care of 
my horse, feeding it some of the fodder, a sudden rattle of 
musketry broke upon the misty night air. It was evident that 
the reserve picket post had been attacked and that we had active 
business on our hands with at least one-half of the men fast 
asleep. I distinctly heard Col. Litchfield command, "This way, 

212 



dismounted men." I having a "Burnside" single shot carbine, 
called to Comrade C. Y. McClain to loan me his long Seven- 
Shooter "Spencer." After securing it and with pockets full of 
cartridges, my tent mate, Corporal Daily, and I proceeded as 
best we could in the impenetrable darkness toward the sound 
of the Colonel's voice, and finally reached the edge of the woods 
and what appeared to be an open field, where the Rebs had a 
battery of four guns. History says two, but I know from the 
flashes of the guns that there were four with which the Johnnies 
were pouring shots into the woods. I think this battery was 
not twenty rods from the providential ditch in which we were 
lying and using our Spencers as rapidly as we could work the 
levers, firing towards the flashes of the guns. It was rather an 
unequal duel, but Daily, who was quite a wit and would crack a 
joke in the very face of a cannon, declared we had silenced 
their battery, at least they quit firing and we returned to camp. 
Arriving there we found nothing but smouldering fires and 
some dead horses ; hearing a body of Cavalry moving along 
the road we walked in that direction and right into one of 
Wade Hampton's North Carolina Regiments. I should very 
much like to have seen my jocular comrade's expression of 
countenance after having blandly asked the very natural and 
usual question on such occasions, "What Regiment is this?" 
and receiving as an answer the cold muzzle of a carbine pressed 
to the side of his head with the pre-emptory command, "Throw 
up your hands, Yank." I know I was a decidedly mild and 
meek "Yank" on the receipt of similar treatment by them. On 
the principle that misery loves company, I confess to 1 having 
derived some degree of satisfaction on realizing the fact that 
my tent mate and I were not the only ones making that fatal 
mistake on that dark and dismal night. 

To go into details of our prison life, of the weary days 
and nights of slow but sure starvation and misery, would re- 
quire too much space; sufficient to say that the 200 or more 

213 



men captured on that dark, rainy night from Kilpatrick's com- 
mand were treated with marked and special rigor by the prison 
authorities at Richmond, keeping us exclusively by ourselves 
on the fourth floor of the Pemberton Warehouse. On reach- 
ing our prison, a thorough search of our persons and a sys- 
tematic robbery of our money, jewels and valuables of what- 
soever description found on each individual, was inaugurated, 
even the taking of the cherished pictures of friends at home 
were not exempted. When I saw the photo of the girl I had 
left behind me transferred from the pocket nearest my heart 
into Rebel hands, I offered a mild resistance and was answered 
with the chivalrous and complimentary remark, "You d — d 
Yankee, you have been in some house and stole that." After I 
became better acquainted with these strutting dignitaries and 
their ways I wondered that the searcher did not knock me 
down with the butt of his pistol or loaded whip instead of pay- 
ing me the compliment he did. 

After spending three weeks in Pemberton, the Rebel au- 
thorities concluded that it would not be an entirely safe policy 
to "Hang those 200 Yanks" that General Hampton appre- 
hended, "as the Richmond papers advised," so we were con- 
veyed to Belle Isle and permitted to share the bed of Mother 
Earth with leaky tents and raw corn meal in very limited 
quantities, as had fared the several thousands of unfortunate 
Union prisoners who had spent the winter there before us. In 
May we were transferred to and confined, for reasons unknown 
to us, in the notorious "Libby" prison. In July I parted com- 
pany with my unfortunate and cherished Comrade Daily, I 
being sent to the Columbian Hospital, suffering from scurvey 
and other troubles, and he to Andersonville, where his bones 
lie bleaching, dying there three weeks after we parted company. 

In the loss of Corporal Daily, Co. "E" and the 7th Michi- 
gan Cavalry lost one of its truest, best and bravest soldiers. 

On the 11th day of August, "happy day," I was paroled 

214 



with many sick and wounded and conveyed by boat to Camp 
Parole, Annapolis, Md. In December I rejoined the Regiment 
at its winter quarters near Winchester, Va., fully determined 
never again, under any circumstances, to be taken prisoner. 
From there I followed the fortunes of the Regiment to its 
final muster out of service, including the final "round up" at 
Appomattox, and across the plains to the Rockies and back to 
Fort Leavenworth, where I received my final discharge. 

In conclusion, I would say that I have made Comrade 
C. Y. McClain due and satisfactory apologies for having lost 
his "Spencer." 




215 




1864. 



1900. 



Geo. W. Watson, 

Co. "E." 

Lansing, Mich. 

Born at Red Creek, Wayne County, N. Y., September 6th, 
1844; enlisted at Jackson, Jackson County, Mich., September 
9th, 1864, as Private in Co. '%" 7th Michigan Cavalry; mus- 
tered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, July 17th, 1865, and 
honorably discharged. 



216 



UNDER COMMAND OF GEN. SHERIDAN. 
By Geo. W. Watson. 

My first acquaintance with General Sheridan was at the 
battle of Cedar Creek, October 19th, 1864. About 3 p. m. I 
found myself on the right of the skirmish line across the road 
from a brick house. I saw a horseman coming across the fields 
on a black horse covered with foam. He leaped the stone 
fence in front of the house. There was not a Staff Officer in 
sight, and as there were a number of stragglers in the road and 
about the house, Sheridan said : "Boys, come back and we will 
give them h — 1," and he quickly made his word good. 

I was detailed for picket one day in January, 1865, on the 
out-posts. It was a very cold night, and after I had been re- 
lieved, I turned in by the fire and, being a novice at the busi- 
ness, pulled off my boots and went to sleep. Soon there was 
a gun fired on the picket line and we had orders to turn out and 
mount. The result was I found my boots frozen so hard that I 
could not get them on, so I mounted with boots in one hand 
and reins in the other. As it was a false alarm we were soon 
back to camp and I thawed those boots out, and I assure you 
I was never caught that way again. 



217 




1 862. 



1901. 



Stephen B. Mann, 

Captain Co. "F," 
'Glenwood, Fla. 

Born in the County of Tioga, Penn., March 23rd, 1832 ; en- 
listed at Detroit, Mich., August 14th, 1862, as First Lieutenant 
in Co. "G," 5th Michigan Cavalry; transferred and promoted 
to Captain of Co. "F," 7th Michigan Cavalry, October 15th, 
1862; discharged at Washington, D. C, July 8th, 1863, with- 
out resignation by order of Board of Surgeons by special order 
for physical disability and honorably discharged. 



220 



REMINISCENCES. 
By Stephen B. Mann. 

My experience with the old 7th was short and of no import- 
ance to add to its history. The Regiment, as you know, was 
sent from Grand Rapids to Washington in the dead of winter. 
We were a lot of raw recruits without drill or discipline, but 
made up of the very stuff that afterwards proved to be the best. 
Our first business on going into camp at Washington was to 
drill our men as best w r e could. The weather was bad, and the 
mud on our drill-ground was knee deep or more with snow and 
slush, but before we had become at all proficient we were or- 
dered to march to actual duty. No arms were issued to the men 
except revolvers. We started from our camp at 9 o'clock at 
night over the "Long Bridge," marched all night and till noon 
or after the next day, when we halted in an open field, as we 
supposed, to wait for our baggage wagons to come up. Soon a 
heavy rain set in with relentless fury, and kept it up till near 
night, when it turned to snow, which was ten inches deep in 
the morning and frozen hard, while we had no- fire or shelter of 
any kind. Many of our horses died and one or two men also, 
for my part I soon came dowm with pneumonia and was sent to 
hospital. 

After leaving the hospital I was of little use as a soldier and 
the doctor ordered me to Washington to report to headquar- 
ters, ordering an ambulance to take me there. Distasteful as 
this was, there seemed no other w 7 ay. I reported as soon as T 
could to' the Surgeon's office for treatment, but was told it was 
useless as I had consumption and would die soon, etc. I was 
advised at headquarters to resign and go home. To this I 
strongly demurred, fully believing I would recover and be able 
to take my place with the boys. I was then told that by a special 
order I might be discharged on Surgeon's certificate, the same 
as a private soldier, which discharge would be more honorable 

221 



than to resign. I was again assured that I could not live very 
long, and it was my duty to my country and to myself to get out 
of the way of some stronger man to take my place in the field 
This sort of argument prevailed and I accepted the discharge. 

So now, Comrades, you see I can add no great glory to trre 
valiant old Tth by any daring deed of mine. I went in with 2$ 
high hopes as any of those who covered themselves all ovfr- 
with glory, but was cut off too early to show whether there was 
the real qualities of a soldier in me or not. However, I honor 
the old 7th and am proud to have my name on her roll. 

May the choicest of earth's blessings be for you all, and 
may you attend many more Reunions, with many honors to 
crown the silvered locks that will gather at each Reunion. 




222 




18G4 



1901 



Dr. Asa B. Isham, 

First Lieutenant Co. "F." 
849 Oak St., Walnut Hills, Cincinnati, Ohio. 

Born July 12th, 1844, at Jackson C. H., Jackson Comity, 
Ohio; enlisted at Detroit, Mich., November 18th, 1862, as 
Private of Co. "I," 7th Michigan Cavalry; promoted to Ser- 
geant and Regimental Clerk and Marker ; severely wounded in 
action near Warrentown Junction, Va., May 14th, 1863; First 
Lieutenant March 22nd, 1864; slightly wounded below the 
knee and taken prisoner in action at Yellow Tavern, Va., May 
11th, 1864; confined in Libby Prison, at Macon and Savannah, 
Georgia, Charleston and Columbia, S. C. ; paroled for ex- 
change December 10th, 1864, at Charleston, S. C, at which 
place had been under fire of our batteries on Morris Island for 
six weeks in September and October; exchanged December 
11th, 1864; honorably discharged for disability arising from 
wounds received in action April 14th, 1865. 

223 



YELLOW TAVERN. 

MAJOR HENRY W. GRANGER— GEN. J. E. B. STUART. 

By Asa B. Isham. 

Yellow Tavern was, undoubtedly, the greatest Cavalry con- 
test of the War, considering the forces engaged and the results 
achieved for the Union arms. My comrades will recall that the 
order of the Regiment for that 11th day of May, 1864, was 
"left in front by inversion," which brought Co. "F" to the front, 
and, myself, as ranking officer, in command of the first squadron 
composed of Cos. ; 'F" and "G." As we were drawn up in line, 
mounted, behind the woods, in which were the 5th and 6th 
Michigan Regiments, dismounted, my end of the line over- 
lapped the angle of the woods. I sat my horse facing the Rebel 
battery of six guns upon the hill, about three-quarters of a mile 
away, and every flash of its guns was not only visible but ap- 
pealed to my imagination in the most unquestionable way that 
the undesirable contents were traveling in a straight line toward 
my anatomy. In fact a small piece of shell did strike me upon 
the outer side of the left leg below the knee. About the time 
that I was beginning to think that it was in the highest degree 
requisite that the relations of myself and the battery should be 
changed in some manner, my attention was diverted by what 
appeared to be a tornado sweeping in the rear. It was the 1st 
Michigan Cavalry, in column of squadrons, moving at the trot. 
It wheeled upon my flank as a pivot with beautiful precision, 
and came to a halt a little in advance of me, squarely in front 
and in full view of the Rebel guns. It had, just previous to 
starting upon the campaign, returned from veteran furlough 
with its ranks recruited to one thousand men. In squadron front 
it covered over two hundred and fifty feet by one hundred and 
twenty in depth, and it formed a weight of six hundred tons 
that was about to be hurled across the fields and ravines upon 
that battery and its supports. It was a magnificent engine of 

224 



warfare, and I somehow began to feel a contempt for the Rebel 
cannon, which had inspired me with profound solicitude but a 
few minutes before. I sat straight up in my saddle and cheered 
in admiration of the 1st Michigan Cavalry, and in derision of 
the artillery, although the latter was now pelting away more 
lustily than ever. This splendid body of horsemen was halted 
but for a moment, when General Custer reined in at the head of 
it with an order to 'charge," and away it went toward the guns. 
It was swallowed up in dust and smoke, a volume of exult- 
ing shouts smote the air, the earth shook and it was evident that 
a besom of destruction was sweeping over the face of nature. 
Five fences and a bridge made six breaks in the formation, but 
as many times was the column reformed, and the height was 
carried as a finish, to the great discomfiture of the Confederates. 
It was as fine a Regiment of Cavalry as was ever hurled against 
a foe, most gallantly did it push the charge, and, as we followed 
it "by fours" to the hill from which the Rebels had been dis- 
lodged, my horse felt as though he was an elephant under me 
and my head was among the clouds ; because I had a feeling that 

I was riding along with heroes, and I did not give a 

picayune where we might pull up. 

When Major Granger gave the order to charge, and dashed 
clown the declivity leading to the Telegraph road, I repeated the 
order to the command, stuck the spurs into my steed and fol- 
lowed him. After we had passed over the barricade in the road 
and struck the Rebel column of "fours," we were riding nearly 
neck and neck. Even at that time some of the troopers from 
behind had forged ahead of us. The Major was firing with his 
revolver over the neck of my horse at a group of Confederates 
about a battle flag in the woods, a little to the left of our line of 
charge. As I have already narrated, in our Regimental His- 
tory, General J. E. B. Stuart was among that group of horsemen 
and the banner displayed was his Corps ensign. On account of 
the dust and smoke of battle I did not notice a rise of the ground 

225 



to our left and remarked to the Major that he was firing high. 
Major Granger, however, undoubtedly appreciated the "lay" of 
the ground, and knew at whom he was firing, as he had, when a 
Lieutenant of the New York Lincoln Cavalry, met General 
Stuart under a flag of true. From the earnestness with which 
the Major was directing his fire at the horsemen about the bat- 
tle flag, instead of immediately in his front, particularly as he 
was upon my right and had to direct his aim over my horse, I am 
pursuaded that he was shooting at General Stuart with a full 
knowledge of whom he was firing upon, and that it was a pistol 
shot from his revolver that ended the life of the Confederate 
Cavalry chief. He could not have been shot by one of the 1st 
Michigan Cavalry, for that Regiment was not within pistol or 
even carbine range of him at the time he fell. 

My observation of the Major occupied but an instant of 
time. My horse leaped an obstruction, perhaps a horse that 
had gone down before him — or it may have been at this time 
that he was struck by a ball in the shoulder — and, I saw no 
more of Major Granger. Just at this time I made a thrust 
with the point of my saber at the neck of a burly Confederate, 
but whether or not any damage was inflicted upon him I do not 
know, as he was blotted from view by dust and smoke, and the 
scene was changed, when once more vision was unclouded. A 
young trooper of Co. "C," whose name is lost beyond recall 
in the lapse of years, who had somehow worked to the front 
from near the rear of the column, always insisted that I had 
saved his life by unhorsing a big rebel who was about to cut him 
down. Of this, however, I know nothing. Co. "C." always 
had a reputation for romancing, and I have always suspected 
this as a fairy tale by one of the Company's most impression- 
able boys. Whether or not the now unknown "C" trooper was 
dealing in fiction, it may be said to his credit that in the Spring 
of 1865, near Grafton, West Virgina, he quelled a mutiny 
among a lot of paroled prisoners in transit from Annapolis, 

226 



Md., to St. Louis, Mo. 3 and prevented an assault upon four offi- 
cers disabled by wounds, who had them in charge without a 
guard, upon the ground that I had saved his life in action with 
the enemy, and that a sentiment of common gratitude demanded 
that the authority of such an officer should be respected. 

When, near the end of the battle. Captains Loomis and 
Fisher pushed their companies up the Telegraph road, they 
found the body of Major Granger about fifty yards beyond 
the barricade and nearly opposite the position occupied by 
General Stuart and his staff. He had been struck by three 
balls in different parts, any one of which was necessarily mortal, 
so that his death must have been instantaneous. General Stu- 
art's wound was not immediately fatal. He was removed from 
the field and lived until the next day. Thus passed away two 
brave men in the very prime of life. 




•2-27 




1899. 

Gkorge Ferris, 

Lieutenant Co. "F." 
Dead. 

Born at Eaton Rapids, Mich., January 31st, 1840; enlisted 
at Eaton Rapids, Mich., September 9th, 1862, as private in Co. 
"D," 7th Michigan Cavalry; promoted to Second Lieutenant 
February 28th, 1864, and to First Lieutenant May 24th, 1865, 
and transferred to First Michigan Veteran Cavalry November 
17th, 1865 ; mustered out at Salt Lake City, Utah, March 10th, 
L866, and honorably discharged. Was killed near Rawlins, 
Wyoming, at Ferris Haggarty Mine, August 20th, 1900, by 
his horses becoming frightened and dashing down a steep 
pitch, throwing him out. 



228 




1898. 
Harmon Smith, 

Lieutenant Co. "F." 
Orleans, Ionia Co., Mich. 

Born March 6th, 1833, at Ballstown, Seneca County, N. Y. ; 
enlisted at Prairieville, Barry County, Mich., December 27th, 
1S62, as Sergeant in Co. "F," 7th Michigan Cavalry; was pro- 
moted to Second Lieutenant -December 12th, 1865; was 
wounded at Smithfield, Va., August 27th, 1864, in right foot 
while in action; was mustered out December 15th, 1865, at 
Leavenworth, Kan., and was honorably discharged at Jackson, 
Mich., December 25th, 1865. 

CO. "F" AT THE BATTLE OF TREVILIAN'S STATION. 
By Harmon Smith. 

In the eventful history of our magnificent Regiment it is no 

229 



easy task to specify events, but it seems appropriate to give some 
attention to the events of June 11th and 12th at Trevilian's 
Station. 

On the morning of the 11th I was in command of Co. "F" 
as Ranking Officer, and had nineteen men at roll-call. Before 
we had tasted our coffee we were charged by Confederate Cav- 
alry from the direction of Louisa Court House. As I remem- 
ber, it was my Company who drove back this charge, and fol- 
lowing up the Rebels I almost forgot the rear of my own com- 
mand, and upon looking about I saw my whole force in rapid 
motion going away from us and in the direction of the Station, 
my horse with the lot. By an almost superhuman effort I gained 
the column and my horse; we were soon at the Station with 
fighting here at the front, in the rear, at the right and at the left. 

It was my fortune to be near Gen. Custer, and of course in 
the middle of the fray. One officer was so muddled that he 
asked Custer if it would not be best to move certain things for 
safety to the rear. The General said, "Yes, by all means," and 
then added, "Where in hell is the rear?" By this time the Bri- 
gade was scattered in many directions, but as the battle pro- 
gressed and the artillery being with Custer, the different parts 
gradually gathered at the Station. We repelled five heavy 
charges made to capture one big gun. In one of these charges 
a large part of the Rebel Cavalry got one of our pieces in their 
control and tried to disable it, but a force of seventy-five to one 
hundred of our boys made a saber charge, one of the sharpest 
hand-to-hand contests I ever witnessed, and recaptured it. The 
Commander of the Battery stood gallantly by his gun. One of 
the Johnnies stunned him by a saber stroke. It was my privilege 
to take after this chap, a Johnnie took after me. Lieutenant Lyon 
after the Johnnie, another Johnnie after Lyon, and another 
Yankee after him. This all happened in a moment's time, but 
we held the gun, and as the Rebels got out the Artillery boys 
sallied into them, letting the Johnnies have three shots. Boom, 

230 



Bang;, Bang. As the smoke cleared away there were five of our 
men and fifteen Johnnies lying dead. I never knew as to what 
became of all in the race farther than the fellow ahead of me 
went down, and Lyon said the one after me followed suit. He 
was no good with the saber, as he gave me five blows on the 
back, any of which with a well directed point would have run 
me through. 

It was in one of these charges where Custer's Color-bearer 
was killed, and the General stripped the colors from the staff 
and thrust them in his bosom and over his shoulder. 

About noon the Rebels seemed to have got enough and drew 
off to better their position, and we discovered that we had been 
fighting the whole Rebel Army of the Shenandoah. In the 
afternoon they were after us again, and as the fray opened the 
N. Y. Brigade broke through the line and came to our relief, 
for we had been surrounded from the first. We were now full 
masters of the field and we tore up several miles of railroad. 

I did not see much of the next day's doings until towards 
night when we tried to carry the railroad on the right, and I 
always thought this was done to enable us to let the Rebels go. 

I saw the noble Lieutenant Nichols of "H" go down in the 
timber at my side with many others, and as our men were falling 
back I went with them and as soon as I found the Regiment I 
got my place in line and at roll-call I had five and only five of 
my nineteen men, the rest — some of them with the "Great Ma- 
jority," some prisoners, etc. This was the lowest point in num- 
bers Co. "F" ever reached. 

This is substantially as I remember the Battle of Trevilian's 
Station. General Custer lost his headquarters, I believe, but 
on the 11th we certainly whipped the whole Rebel Army of 
the Shenandoah. 



231 




i86 5 . 



189/. 



Chas. P. White, 

Sergeant Co. "F." 
Litchfield, Mich. 



Born at Scipio, Hillsdale County, Mich., August 28th, 
1838 ; enlisted at Litchfield, Hillsdale County, Mich., Novem- 
ber 20th, 1862, as Private in Co. "F," 7th Michigan Cavalry; 
promoted to Corporal January 1st, 1863, and to Sergeant May 
1st, 1865 ; my first absence from the Regiment was when taken 
prisoner July 6th, 1863, between Funkstown and Hagerstown, 
Md., while on detached duty with Lieutenant Newman picking 
up horses to mount the dismounted men; was taken to Stan- 
ton, thence to Belle Isle, Va., reaching there July 21th, re- 
mained there until February 11th, 1861; then taken to Libby 
Prison, remaining there only three days when I was sent with 
others to Andersonville, Ga., being there until September 8th, 
when I was taken to Savannah, Ga., and was there until Octo- 
ber 16th ; from Savannah was taken to Camp Lawton or Millen 
Stockade and was paroled from there November 23rd, 1864, 

232 



and sent to Annapolis, making- in all five hundred and five con- 
secutive days in prison. "I need not try to tell what I endured 
and suffered in those prisons, Mcllroy tells it too plainly." On 
arriving at Annapolis I got a furlough for fifty clays and came 
home to Michigan ; was exchanged, and reported at Dis- 
mounted Camp, Pleasant Valley, Md. ; was with the dis- 
mounted men after Booth in Maryland and then went to 
Washington, joining the Regiment the day hefore the Grand 
Review,; went with the Regiment to Fort Leavenworth and 
then on the Western campaign to the summit of the Rockies 
and back to Fort Collins; from there was with a detachment of 
twenty-five under command of Lieutenant J. Q. A. Sessions 
to Denver, Colo., and over the Smoky Hill Route to Fort Leav- 
enworth, Kansas, where I was mustered out November 2;">th.. 
18G5, and honorably discharged. 




233 




1899. 

Clark H. BeardsIvT^K, 

Co. "F." 

Marcellus, Mich. 

Born Decem1)er 17th, 1845, at Marshall, Calhoun County. 
Mich.; enlisted at Sheridan, Calhoun County, Mich., December 
30th, 1862, as Private in Co. "F," 7th Michigan Cavalry; was 
wounded at Falling- Waters July 14th, 1863, in right thigh, and 
at Coal Harbor May 30th, 1864, in risrht leer below the knee; 

■J C5 O 

was taken prisoner June 11, 1864, at Trevilian's Station. Va., 
and was in Libby, Andersonville, Milieu, and Savannah 
Prisons; was mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., No- 
vember 21st. 1865, and honorably discharged. 



234 




1889. 

Joseph Doherty, 
Co. "F." 

208 Fischer Ave., Detroit, Mich. 

Born at Bristol, England, September 19th, 1813 ; enlisted 
at Detroit, Wayne County, Mich., January 10th, 1S63, as 
Private in Co. "F," 7th Michigan Cavalry; wounded Septem- 
ber, 1863, at Rapidan, by gun shot wounds in right forearm 
and left shoulder; taken prisoner September 17th, 1S63. and 
taken to Pemberton, Va. ; Libby, Va. ; Belle Isle, Va. ; Ander- 
sonville, Ga. ; Camp Lawton, Ga. ; Salisbury, N. C. ; was re- 
captured by the 11th Michigan Cavalry at Salisbury, N. C, 
April, 1865; mustered out at Harper Hospital, Detroit, Mich., 
September 8th, 1865, and honorably discharged. 



235 

















'V 




• i : 








:■ 








• 


■0W 
















Ft 





1899. 

Nathan H. Space, 

Co. "F." 

Grand Ledge, Eaton Co., Mich. 

Born April 8th, 1843, at Upper Sandusky, Ohio; enlisted 
February, 1864, in Co. "F," 7th Michigan Cavalry; captured 
June 11th, 1864, at Trevilian's Station, Va., conducted to Libby 
Prison and from there to Andersonville, from which prison he 
and Comrade N. R. Billings, of Co. "F," escaped September 
15th; was recaptured September 21st and immediately returned 
to Andersonville, where he was met by the black-hearted Wirz, 
who cursed him and ordered him put into stocks for eight hours 
without food or drink. In November was transferred to the 
Savannah Prison and from there paroled and exchanged 

236 



and mustered out at Fort Leavensworth, Kas., February 2d, 
1866, and honorably discharged. 

ONE EXPERIENCE. 
By N. H. Space. 

In May, 1864, our Regiment was on the picket line at Coal 
Harbor, Va. ; Comrades McComb, Dudley and myself were 
placed in advance of the regular line with strict orders to fire 
if we heard a noise in front. We soon discovered there was a 
wounded soldier about ten rods from us in our front, who kept 
continually groaning and calling for water. As day began to 
break I decided I would venture over and give him a drink and 
place him more comfortable and where he could be cared for. 
I found on reaching him that he was a Confederate. He drank 
freely from my canteen, and just as he finished I heard these 
words from him : "Yank, over here." Looking up I saw 
a Confederate with gun in hand ready to fire. Knowing my 
carbine was both loaded and cocked I resolved to fire ; both guns 
were discharged at the same time ; where my bullet went I never 
knew, but the Confederate's bullet took a little skin off my cheek, 
just enough to start the blood. I ran back to our lines and was 
followed by a volley from the Rebs, which volley killed Comrade 
McComb. 



237 




1864. 1901. 

William F. Kenfield, 

Co. "F." 
Woonsocket, Sanborn Co., S. D. 

Born at Hastings, Barry County, Mich., June 30th, 1846; 
enlisted at Grand Rapids, Kent County, Mich., February 29th, 
1864, as Private in Co. "F," 7th Michigan Cavalry; mus- 
tered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, November 21st, 1865, 
and honorably discharged. 



TREVIUAN'S STATION. 
By William F. Kenfield. 

The Battle of Trevilian's Station, fought June 11th and 
12th, 1864, has been generally conceded by the men of the 
Michigan Cavalry Brigade, who were in that fight to have 

238 



been as desperate as any, if not the most desperate, of the war, 
lasting two full days. 

The Brigade bivouaced the night of June 10th about five 
miles from the Station that has become historical, and near 
to the North Anna River. 

The next day dawned warm and clear. Our Regiment 
was the first to be attacked by the Confederates, led by Gen- 
eral Wade Hampton, and with scarcely any warning. I was 
preparing a sumptuous (?) breakfast, composed of bacon and 
flapjacks, when the attack was made, but in my haste to get to 
a safer place with my horse and accoutrements I did not taste 
it. The Brigade was under the command of General Custer, 
the idol of his troopers and the terror of his foes. We were 
soon surrounded and fighting became fast and furious. I 
was cut off from my Regiment in a mix up about eleven a. m. 
and became attached to a party numbering about fifty and 
composed mostly of the 5th and 7th Michigan Cavalry boys. 
We were a badly demoralized lot. Belden, our Regimental 
saddler, and I think a Captain of the 1st Michigan Cavalry, 
lagged behind at a plantation house and were picked up in 
our very sight. Finally, we halted in a piece of woods and 
held a sort of council of war, with the result that I was se- 
lected to take command. Being promised implicit obedience, 
I consented, though not without reluctance, owing to my 
youth and short service. 

I selected four men to act as flankers and then moved in 
an easterly direction, avoiding all traveled roads. We later 
captured two of Fitzhugh Lee's troopers who were making a 
sneak to their homes near by. All went well until about dusk 
when soon after emerging from the cover of the woods and 
while passing through a narrow defile, a band of guerillas at- 
tacked us without the slightest warning. Lewis Adams, of 
Co. "L," 5th Michigan Cavalry, and myself only escaped. 
We had fine mounts and were fully determined not to surren- 

239 



der unless compelled to, so putting spurs to our horses we led 
the guerillas a merry chase, and though at no time did any of 
them get within twenty yards of us, even at that distance they 
were uncomfortably close and determined to wing us if possi- 
ble and howling like a lot of demons. Fearing they might ride 
us down and not relishing their target practice, we jumped 
from our horses and plunged into a thicket. Darkness was 
closing in and we felt comparatively safe for the time being. 
Tired, hungry, thirsty and much disheartened, we sank down 
at last under a spreading oak and, back to back, with the rain 
falling on us we soon forgot all our troubles. Once only were 
we awakened during the night and that by the sound of foot- 
steps close by; they soon died away and we were again ob- 
livious of our desperate straits. Adams wakened me early the 
next morning, my clothes were wet and steaming, and the 
birds were singing sweetly in the boughs overhead. It was 
some moments before I realized my sad plight. I learned sev- 
eral years later from one of the party, who lost his legs by 
scurvy in Andersonville Prison, that nine of the boys fell with 
the guerillas' first fire and that all save Adams and myself 
were taken prisoners. He also said that the guerillas were 
very angry because of Adams and my escape, and that we un- 
doubtedly would have been killed if taken for refusing to sur- 
render when the rest did. 

There were thrilling incidents in store for us that day, a 
detailed recital of which would fill a small book. Finally, 
about five o'clock p. m. we heard for the first time after being 
cut off, the sound of cannon and immediately started on a run 
in the direction of the firing, scarcely halting for breath, until 
we reached a negro hut that lay in our course. We found the 
owner of the place (a freedman) willing to aid us, but he 
being ignorant as to the position of the contending forces, we 
sent him ahead to reconnoitre. At last we crossed our lines 
near a Field Hospital, which was then being shelled. Here 

240 



Adams and I parted. Assistant Surgeon Beach, of the 5th 
Michigan Cavalry, kindly gave me some hardtack and made 
a place for me in an army wagon. Our forces retreated under 
cover of darkness. The jolting I got that night was some- 
thing fearful, and the curses of the driver when the wagon 
would strike a pile of rails or other obstruction, were loud 
and long. I found my Regiment after several days' search 
and my return was a great surprise to the boys, I having 
been reported killed. Through the kindness of that brave 
patriot, Colonel Brewer, who received his death wound dur- 
ing the last charge of our forces at the Battle of Winchester. 
September 19th, 1864, I was furnished a horse and fell into 
my accustomed place, thankful that I was alive. Shortly 
after our command rejoined Grant's Army I was stricken with 
fever and saw nothing of my Regiment until the following 
December. I was appointed Regimental Mail Carrier soon 
after my return to the Regiment and served in that capacity 
until after the close of the war. 

Adams survived many years, dying near Kalamazoo, 
Mich., in 1901. 

A great majority of the grand old Brigade whose ex- 
ploits have become a part of the history of the great Civil 
War, and whose deeds are preserved in song and story, in 
bronze and marble, have answered their final roll call. A 
goodly remnant, however, yet linger "in the shadows." May 
their declining years be made easy and their end be peaceful. 



241 




243 




1 


IT* 





1901 



1864 



George W. Hiu^ 

Lieutenant Co. "G." 
Dead. 

Born at Ypsilanti, Mich., April 21st, 1839; enlisted at De- 
troit, Mich., August 10th, 1862, in 5th Michigan Cavalry; 
transferred to 7th Michigan Cavalry December 3rd, 1862 ; mus- 
tered as Second Lieutenant of Co. "C" January 21th, 1863, 
made First Lieutenant of Co. "G" May 21th, 1865; taken 
prisoner in action at Yellow Tavern, Va., May 11th, 1861, ex- 
changed March 1st, 1865; transferred to 1st Michigan Veteran 
Cavalry November 17th, 1865 ; mustered out at Salt Lake City, 
Utah, March 10th, 1866, and honorably discharged. Died the 
morning of September 3rd, 1901. 

Comrade Hill was found dead in his home, 76 Piquette 
avenue, by his family, supposing to have died between 6 and 7 
that morning. The cause of his death was attributed to 
apoplexy. His pallbearers were four members of the 7th 
Michigan Cavalry and two comrades from Detroit G. A. R. 
Post, which Post had charge of the funeral. He was buried at 
Ypsilanti, Mich., his boyhood home. 

244 




1902. 

Butler S. Tubbs, 

Lieutenant Co. "G." 
Rose, Oakland Co., Mich. 

Born May 28th, 1833, at Southport, Chenango County, N. 
Y. ; enlisted at Fenton, Genesee County, Mich., August 24th, 
1862, as Corporal of Co. "I," 6th Michigan Cavalry; trans- 
ferred and promoted to Sergeant October 15th, 1862, of Co. 
"G," 7th Michigan Cavalry; promoted to Second Lieutenant 
March 24th, 1865, and promoted to First Lieutenant May 26th, 
1865, not mustered; transferred to 1st Michigan Veteran Cav- 
alry November 17th, 1865 ; mustered out at Salt Lake City, 
Utah Ter., March 10th, 1866, and honorably discharged. 



245 




i86 3 . 



William C. Barden, 



i 901. 



Com. Sergeant Co. "G." 
465 Upton Ave., Battle Creek, Mich. 

Born at Leslie, Ingham County, Mich., September 7th, 
1842 ; enlisted at Jackson, Jackson County, Mich., December 
24th, 1862, as Private in Co. "G," 7th Michigan Cavalry; was 
promoted to Corporal March 1st, 1863, 3rd Duty Sergeant 
September 1st, 1864, Commissary Sergeant April 1st, 
1865; taken prisoner on the Kilpatrick Raid to Richmond the 
spring of 1864, but made my escape the same night ; mustered 
out at Omaha, Neb., December 28, 1865, and honorably dis- 
charged. 



246 



I had just commenced my winter term of school when the 
idea struck me to enlist. My seatmate and chum was Martin 
R. Delamater. One day I said, "Mart, let us enlist," he asked. 
"Do you mean it?" I said, "Yes," and we then and tl\ere 
shook hands under the old school desk, threw our books 
across the school-room against the blackboard just as recess 
was ordered, and rushed out, nor did we return again until 
noon for our books. 

In the meantime we had informed our parents that we were 
going to enlist and they gave us to understand that they would 
not give their consent, therefore we had to make a flank move- 
ment, so we arranged to meet at our barn at midnight and if 
he got there first to wait for me and if I got there first I would 
wait for him. We did not trust ourselves to sleep that night, 
and just as the old clock struck twelve, and I could hear my 
father snoring; I quietly slipped into my clothes and taking my 
boots in my hands softly raised the window and crawled out 
on a low shed and silently dropped to the ground just in time 
to see Mart coming through the gate. Previously supplying 
ourselves with a few biscuits and doughnuts, we started for 
Jackson, seventeen miles away, to enlist. After about a six- 
mile walk we reached Grand River to find that the low lands 
had overflowed for a half mile wide and were frozen over with 
about a quarter of an inch of ice and the water from a foot to 
two feet deep. Pulling off our boots and stockings we waded 
through, breaking the ice at every step until we reached the 
opposite shore, then pulling on our boots and stockings we 
struck out for Jackson, reaching there at daylight on the morn- 
ing of December 24th. 

We strolled about town until 10 a. m., when we met Lewis 
Carson, in uniform, and looking for recruits. He hastily con- 
ducted us to a Recruiting Office and the examining board being 
in session we quickly passed inspection and enlisted. Christ- 
mas morning, 1862, we were on our way with other recruits for 

247 



Grand Rapids to join our Regiment. Poor Mart never came 
home, being mortally wounded at the Battle of the Wilder- 
ness and died in hospital. 

During my three years service I never reported to sick call 
but once, and then threw the medicine away before reaching 
my tent. Never absent from my Company except on detail or 
detached service. Had three horses killed under me while in 
the saddle and participated in eighty-four engagements accord- 
ing to my diary kept of every day from enlistment to discharge. 

ATTACKED BY A WOMAN. 
By William C. Barden. 

While on our raid down the Shenandoah Valley in 1864, 
burning barns, driving off the stock, etc., two of my companions 
and myself went to a house some distance from the marching 
column. One stood picket, the other held my horse, while I 
investigated the house. Entering with revolver in hand and 
seeing there was no one but a tall, lean, peaked-nosed woman 
with eyes like a hawk, I proceeded to investigate. Going down 
cellar I discovered some apples the size of small hen's eggs and 
gathering up what I could in my arms started up the dark and 
narrow stairs to put them in my feed bag, but just as I reached 
the top steps and was stooping to go through the low door she 
met me with a heavy iron poker in both hands and with a ven- 
geance whacking me over the left side of my cranium and over 
my left eye, the blood flowing freely, the apples all dropping 
back to the bottom of the cellar near where I found them. She 
made a second pass at me, but I guarded it off and made a 
spring for her, and as she turned I grabbed her around the 
waist and arms, her back to me, and the way we sasbeed 
around that room was not slow, she a head taller than myself 
and kicking back like a mule and spitting over her shoulder 
into my face; that, with the blood clotting over one eye, was 
not pleasant. In the meantime Wetherby, who was holding my 

248 



horse, was laughing at the fun and proceeded to gather up the 
apples that I had dropped. I then released and gave my lady 
companion a push from me, kissed my hand to her in a good- 
bye and sprang into my saddle in time to catch the rear guard 
as it was passing by. I hastened on and overtook my Com- 
pany, but it was two long hours before I could find water to 
wash up. With the air full of smoke and dust and my face cov- 
ered with blood, etc., I was a sieht to behold, and when the 
boys of the Company found out the scrape I had been in they 
gave me a big laugh. 




249 




1898. 
William H. Hibbard, 

Sergeant Co. "G." 
361 Cass Ave., Detroit, Mich. 

Born at Pittsford, Monroe County, N. Y., September 15th, 
1844; enlisted at Ypsilanti, Mich., November 15th, 1862, as 
Private in Co. "G," 7th Michigan Cavalry; promoted to Ser- 
geant October 31st, 1863; mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, 
Kan., December 15, 1865, and honorably discharged. 

MY ADVANCE AND RETREAT FROM AN ISLAND. 
By Sergeant William H. Hibbard. 

While doing picket duty on the Rappahannock, opposite 
Fredericksburg, I was Sergeant in charge of a small post with 
a detachment consisting of a Corporal and nine men. We were 
camped in the yard of a house in front of a large peach orchard 
above Falmouth and overlooking the river, our little squad keep- 
ing out three picket posts night and day. 

A short distance up the river from our post was an island, 
and on the island a farm and nice buildings. The widest chan- 

250 



nel of the river was on the Falmouth side, the channel on the 
Fredericksburg side was much narrower but deeper. One morn- 
ing the Corporal and I stood looking from the high bank down 
onto the island, and being both young and, I presume, foolish, 
I proposed that we go over to the island and see what we could 
find. He agreed, and going down the bank we started to cross 
on the rocks, hoping to get over without wetting our feet, but 
when some distance from the shore we found the rocks too far 
apart to jump, so going back we got a long pole, and by laying 
this across on the rocks at the widest places we succeeded in 
reaching the island. Taking our poles with us we approached 
the house from the rear, where a high, tight board fence en- 
closed it and the yard, shutting out any view from the outside. 
As we reached it we stepped up to the fence together, took hold 
of the top, and pulling ourselves up, looked over. There we 
saw eight Rebel Cavalrymen with their horses in the yard, en- 
joying the hospitality of the owner of the house. The recogni- 
tion was mutual, and two soldiers wearing blue coats had im- 
portant business toward camp, and eight boys in Gray helped 
them to make good time by a few shots from their revolvers. 
I think I never made better time than on that run to the river, 
and every shot the Johnnies fired helped me to let out another 
link. We both reached the river safely and needed no pole t<? 
cross on, neither did we miss a rock nor wet our feet. Close to 
the bank on the other side of the river was a large rock, behind 
which we dropped to shelter us from the bullets which were 
coming fast and thick, and were no sooner behind the rock than 
one of the Johnnies called out, "Say, Yank, we won't shoot any 
more," so we got up and sat on the rock, and they had a good 
laugh at us. One of them said. "Yanks, you'uns ought to have 
seen how you'uns looked while running/' and I answered him, 
"You ought to have known how we felt." 

Compiler wonders what Corporal Barden was doing about 
that time. 

251 




253 




1864. 
Frank B. Clark, 

Lieutenant Co. "H." 
Dead. 

Born near Port Stanley, Out, October 19th, 1845; en- 
listed at Pontiac, Mich., November 24th, 1862, as Private in 
Co. "E," 7th Michigan Cavalry; promoted to Corporal and 
then to Sergeant in 1863, then to Sergeant-Ma j or and made 
Second Lieutenant May 22nd, 1864, promoted to First Lieu- 
tenant and Adjutant December 12th, 1865, "not mustered as 
First Lieutenant;" mustered out at Salt Lake City, Utah Ter- 
ritory, May 10th, 1866, and honorably discharged; killed by- 
accidental discharge of his own revolver in the spring of 1866 
enroute to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, with a detachment of 
mustered out men. He was a brave, true and faithful soldier, 
a companionable and lovable friend, and his memory will 
ever be fresh with those associated with him in war or peace. 



254 




1902. 

William Fisher, 

Co. "H.- 
Richland, Kalamazoo Co., Mich. 

Born in Yates County, N. Y., March 14th, 1844; enlisted 
at Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo County, Mich., December 14th, 
1862, as Private in Co. "H," 7th Michigan Cavalry; wounded 
at Berryville, W. Va., September 4th, 1864, by shell in left 
foot, same shell killing seven horses; mustered out at Fort 
Leavenworth, Kansas, December 15th, 1865, and honorably 
discharged. 



255 



AN INCIDENT. 
By William Fisher. 

At the Battle of Yellow Tavern, Va., May 10th ; 1803, i 
thought "Billy" Kemp and John Brackett, of my Company, 
had a couple of prisoners. They had gone over the brush 
fence lining the road toward the enemy and had captured two 
Rebels, who were strapping big fellows, black-whiskered, 
and to my eyes were as tall men as I had ever seen. All at 
once I noticed there was trouble, it looking as though the 
tables had been turned and instead of prisoners they appeared 
to be the captors. It looked hard for Billy and John; sud- 
denly my "Spencer" spoke just once and there remained but 
one Rebel, and he was doing his best to get out of range, 
which he finally succeeded in doing. Kemp was on our side 
of the fence in short order, minus prisoners and thankful to be 
alive. He inquired of me, "Did you fire that shot?" 

"Yes," I replied ; "I saw you were in trouble with chances 
against you and did it to save you." Billy replied, "Well, it 
was well you did, as that shot saved my life." 

Poor Comrade Brackett was never seen again after the 
prisoner escaped, all trace of him being lost from that moment. 



256 




1864. 



1901. 



Arthur Longman, 

Co. "H." 
617 Oak St., Kalamazoo, Mich. 

Born in Yorkshire, England, October 6th, 1845 ; enlisted 
at Battle Creek, Calhoun County, Mich., August 18th, 1804, as 
Private in Co. "H," 7th Michigan Cavalry, 



wounded in right 



leg below the knee by kick of horse while marching at night 
near Petersburg about March 25th, 1865 ; mustered out at Fort 
Leavenworth, Kansas, July 17th, 1865, and honorably dis- 
charged. 



257 



REMINISCENCE. 
By Arthur Longman. 

I joined my Regiment on the battlefield of Winchester, Sep- 
tember 19th, 1864, just one month from the day I was mustered 
in. Was with the Regiment on the raid in the Shenandoah Val- 
ley from one end to the other in the fall of 1864, taking part in 
the capture of several of Mosby's Command at Front Royal; 
witnessed the shooting of three and the hanging of four by 
order of General Custer in retaliation for the killing of prison- 
ers taken from our Brigade ; was in the seven days raid in 
Loudon County, Va., being one of the scouting party that found 
the corrall of hogs that the enemy had gathered up for the use 
of their army. We appropriated them to our own use, driving 
them back to camp, together with the sheep and cattle we had 
captured; well do I remember this raid. Took part in the en- 
gagements at Luray, Port Republic and Mount Crawford ; 
from Mount Crawford I was sent on detail for horses to Har- 
per's Ferry, so missed the Battle of Cedar Creek, October 19th, 
1864, joining the Regiment on the field the night after the bat- 
tle. Soon after we went into winter quarters near Winchester 
and settled down to picket duty and raiding. Was with the 
Regiment on the ten days raid the winter of 1864 and 1865 
around Gordonsville, Va. mid ice and snow ; the second morn- 
ing out found myself frozen fast to the ground, owing to my 
clothes having been wet from fording rivers, especially the 
Rapidan, having to dodge cakes of ice in the passage. We 
suffered a good deal with cold on this raid and did not inflict 
much damage to the enemy for we lacked artillery. Returning 
to cam]) we continued to do scouting and picket duty until the 
latter part of February, when we were ordered to 1 get ready to 
move. 

We moved about the 21st day of February, rounded up and 
captured the last of General Barley's Command and came very 
near capturing him. This was the hardest marching done by 

258 



the Brigade while I was with it ; for ten days of the time the 
mud was knee deep to the horses and out of about forty horses 
that started on the raid belonging to Co. "H," but two were 
fit for service when we reached White House Landing. After 
resting a little there the command moved to near City Point, 
where we drew a fresh supply of horses and moved to near 
Petersburg, from there we moved on to Lee's Army, taking 
part in the Battle of Five Forks, capturing the South Side 
Railroad, then to the Battle of Sailor's Creek, our last hard 
fight before the surrender, I personally capturing two prisoners 
in the charge in the scrub timber to the left of our Infantry. I 
think our Regiment took twice as many prisoners after leaving 
City Point as we had men. While I was never wounded by 
shot or shell, still I have drawn my hand over the side of my 
head and looked for blood after being burned with a ball. 

I was on the line in front of Appomattox when the surren- 
der took place, we then moved back to Petersburg, then a 
forced march to the support of Sherman, marching back to 
Washington by way of Richmond to take part in the Grand 
Review. After the Grand Review we were sent to Fort Leav- 
enworth, Kansas, and I was there discharged from service in 
July, 1865, and returned home feeling that I had seen my share 
of war for the time that I had served, as with all the rest I had 
lost by death three bunk mates. 



259 . 




261 





**wn^ 








A 




L^^S Bl 


•' i;j ,'■' V-- 



1901. 



Wm. Hastings, 

Lieutenant Co. "I." 
Albion, Mich. 

Born May 13th, 1839, at Antrim, Ireland; enlisted at 
Tecmuseh, Lenawee County, Mich., December 1st, 1862, as 
Sergeant in Co. "I," 7th Michigan Cavalry; was promoted to 
First Sergeant in 1864 and to Second Lieutenant May 22d, 
1865; was mustered out at Jackson, Mich., December 15th, 
1865, and honorably discharged. 

COUNTERMANDING GENERAL SHERIDAN'S ORDER IN THE 

VALLEY. 
By Lieutenant Wm. Hastings. 

As I have been importuned by our President to give some 
little reminiscence of my army life, and knowing that I must 
either do so or be called a "Skulker," a title I always detested, 
I acquiesce, and here goes the story. 

The comrades all remember Sheridan's great raid up the 

262 



Shenandoah Valley, at which time he swept almost every living- 
animal that was able to walk out of the valley. Now that the 
General is dead and the statute of limitation having expired, I 
will tell in as few words as possible how I countermanded his 
order. 

While passing through Upperville, our Regiment being in 
the rear, "rather an unusual thing," I happened to see an old 
lady standing by the front gate crying, while blood flowed 
from one of her arms. I rode up to her and asked her what 
was the matter. She told me that in trying to keep her two 
cows from the soldiers one of them struck her on the arm 
with his saber. I told her to stop crying and I would get back 
her cows. After getting a description of them I rode past our 
own regiment and after a time came up with the Lieutenant 
in charge of the cattle. I pointed out the two cows and ordered 
him to turn them back instantly. I also made very strict inquiry 
for the man who struck the old lady with the saber, but of 
course he could not be found. The cows I drove back by a 
circuitous route and left them with their former owner. 

Now comes the best part of the story. The old lady had 
a nice-looking daughter, and she told me that she knew when 
I started after the cows that I would get them, while the old 
lady thought that I was just giving her a little sympathy. 
After getting the cows she invited me to supper, which invita- 
tion I declined. The next morning, when we were saddling 
up, along came the old lady and her daughter and wanted my 
address. I gave it to them and took theirs in return. The 
old lady informed me that there was not a man in the world 
she would rather have her daughter's address than myself, 
and also told me if ever I was captured by Mosby to have them 
bring me to Upperville and I should not be hurt. 

Comrades, in returning the cows I countermanded General 
Sheridan's orders, and I hope you will be as lenient with me 
as he was. 

263 




1899 

Benjamin Hui.ce, 
Co. "I." 

Grand Ledge, MicL. 

Born at Elmira, Chemung County, N. Y., September 4th, 
1829; enlisted September 4th, 1864, as private in Co. I, 7th 
Michigan Cavalary; mustered out at Detroit, Mich., August 
12th, 1865, and honorably discharged. 

LEE'S SURRENDER. 
By Benjamin Hulce. 

I was a recruit, not in the service of my country very long, 
but ever fresh in my memory is the eventful day of Lee's sur- 
render,' April 9th, 1865. 

The 7th Michigan Cavalry was called into action before 
daylight and without breakfast. The enemy was driving us 



264 



back when a reinforcement of colored troops came to our 
relief, and glad were we to see them, I can assure you. They 
were very much excited and were shouting as they leaped over 
fences, stumps, etc. "We have only a few hours more to figfoi 
them, then we will go home and be free." They formed in 
front of our command when the enemy was obliged to about 
face and retreat. We followed them to the brink of a long 
slope where Lee's flag of truce greeted our eyes. Orders came 
advising us that there would be no more fighting until 4 p. m. 
We were now ready for breakfast. From the brink we could 
and beyond on the opposite slope a reinforcement of our men. 
see Lee and his force in the valley where our officers met them, 
About 3 p. m. cheers were heard, hats were seen in the air. The 
Officer of the Day then broke the glad news to us that Lee had 
surrendered. 




265 




1865. 



1898. 



George W. Beujngar, 

• Co. "I." 
Mount Pleasant, Isabella Co., Mich. 

Born at Scipio. Hillsdale County, Mich., December 29th, 
1846; enlisted at Mount Pleasant, Isabella County, Mich., 
February 15th, 1805, as private in Co. "I," 7th Michigan Cav- 
alry; mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, December 
15th, 1805, and honorably discharged. 



266 




267 




1864. 



1901. 



E. W. Barnes, 

First Sergeant Co. "K." 
Ionia, Mich. 

Born at Verona, Oneida County, N. Y., November 4th, 
1834; enlisted at Big Prairie, Newaygo County, Mich., No- 
vember 28th, 1862, as Private in Co. "K," 7th Michigan 
Cavalry; served through the campaign of 1863, returning to 
Michigan, December 25th, 1S63, with Captain Moore on re- 
cruiting service and other duties, acting as Drill Master, Or- 
derly Sergeant, etc. General Custer appointed Wm. Kirkwood 
and myself Government Detectives and we were sent to Ten- 
nessee, Alabama, and other States, our orders at times taking 
us within the Rebel lines, causing us to run the gauntlet on sev- 
eral occasions. Joined the Regiment just before the Grand 
Review at Washington, D. C, May, 1SG5; mustered out at 
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, December 15th, 1865, and honor- 
ably discharged. 

268 



REMINISCENCE. 
By E. W. Barnes. 

I think Oliver Perry was the first man of the 7th Michigan 
Cavalry under fire. He was fired on by a member of the 44th 
Massachusetts, and I suppose they thought they covered them- 
selves with bloodless glory on the event. 

In a skirmish at Groveton I was at the right of the skirmish 
line and having a new horse that had never been under fire, he 
kept whirling round and made me a splendid target for the 
Johnnies ; how I escaped being hit I never knew. I finally got 
him started and overtook the command, and when we reached 
the woods we were dismounted and opened fire on the enemy. 
J. Downer, my tent mate, and I were together ; his gun refused 
to pull the shell so we sat down on the ground to fix it. While 
making the repair four Rebel bullets struck between our legs ; 
however, we repaired the gun, joined the advance in the woods 
and the Rebels were driven back. 

In the battle of Brandy Station, I am not positive but I 
think it was, Downer and myself crossed the railroad in pur- 
suit of two or three Rebels. We kept up the chase with hot 
firing until we had emptied our revolvers, all the time the 
Rebels returning our fire; as we came near a piece of woods 
two more Rebels joined the others, then it was two to one. 
They ordered us to surrender, but we did not have time ; suffice 
to say we had a sabre fight, which ended in our favor, as only 
one Johnnie made his escape. 

After the Grand Review, as you all know, we were sent to 
Fort Leavenworth, and from there across the plains to the 
Rocky Mountains. The morning we started I was put in 
command of my Company, "K," and was in command of it 

269 



until sometime in August; Captain Moore being in Michigan 
and our First Lieutenant under arrest, no Second Lieutenant 
had been assigned at that time ; however, later a Second Lieu- 
tenant was assigned and I turned the Company over to him. 

I enjoyed the trip and had an easy time as to duties in the 
Western and Rocky Mountains Campaign. We used to kill 
antelope, which we cooked in many styles. One day while 
hunting antelope with Lieutenant Ingersoll and two others, we 
had a skirmish with a Cinnamon bear, which we did not enjoy 
or relish at all. Lieutenant Ingersoll said it was the closest 
call and most fearful moment he ever experienced, as the old 
Cinnamon fell dead about two feet from him. 




270 




271 



William Vincent Bowles, 

Lieutenant Co. "L." 

Born in the English Army about 1836; enlisted and served 
through the Crimea War in the English Army and honorably 
discharged. 

Enlisted at Saginaw, Mich., April 13th, 1863, as Sergeant 
in Co. "L," 7th Michigan Cavalry; taken prisoner at Liberty 
Mills, Va., September 21st, 1863, and confined in Libby, Belle 
Isle, Andersonville and Millen Prisons; exchanged Novem- 
ber 21st, 1864; promoted to Second Lieutenant May 24th, 
1865; mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and honor- 
ably discharged. 

ANDERSONVILLE. 

As Composed by W. V. Bowles, 1st Sergt. Co. "L," 7th Mich., Cavalry 
When a Prisoner at Andersonville Prison, Ga. 

In Georgia State, in Rebeldom now stands 
'Midst pestilential air and swampy lands 
A prison, a place more fit for Southern dogs, 
That raised its lofty walls of pine wood logs. 

A swamp lies in the center, it runs quite deep and wide, 
Between two steep and sandy hills which slope on either side, 
No house, or shed is to be seen within this dismal pen, 
Wherein were thrust without remorse 30,000 Union men. 

And in this dismal pen 'neath Heaven's blue vaulted sky, 
With no other hope are left, to starve, to rot and die, 
The aged man, the youth of tender years, 
The maimed, the blind, the noble volunteers. 

'Tis March, that month so windy and so cold, 

Whose hoary frosts regard not young nor old, 

It blights alike the sad, the strong man in his mirth, 

And many a man before his time, consigned to Mother Earth. 

Look on yonder group huddled 'round that little fire, 
Ragged and shoeless, no hope doth them inspire, 
See the lightning's flash, hark the thunder's roar, 
While from the clouds above, the rain upon them pour. 

272 



The time is now midnight, the storm it has now ceased, 
And many of these poor, helpless ones are from earthly cares released, 
They are taken to the Dead Line, and there placed with the dead, 
And early on the morrow will be laid in their last bed. 

Alas ! no wife or young one will be there to mourn and weep, 
When departed worth is placed in earth to take death's quiet sleep, 
But ignorant of the conditions that we are suffering here, 
Is better for the happiness of those we hold so dear. 

Who will bear the brunt of this great crying evil, 
Is it Jefferson Davis, or his privy councillor, the Devil? 
Or, shall the weight of it be laid upon, 
Our paternal government — at Washington? 

Time will tell, but what a recompense to all 
The noble and the brave, who, at their country's call, 
Surrendered homes and all with their valued lives thereafter, 
Which they offered as a sacrifice upon their country's altar. 

This is St. Patrick's Day, with stout hearts let us stand. 
We will keep our courage up whilst in this region of the damned, 
We will put our trust in Providence, whilst with grim death we cope, 
Oh God, Oh God, whilst there is life there is hope. 

—March 17, 1864. 



STORY OF THE WAR. 

"I have had many pleasant Christmas days," said State 
Land Agent James M. Page to a group of friends a few days 
ao-o, "but the Christmas I remember best was the most mis- 
erable day of my life. Tell you of it? Certainly, although it 
is a story that recalls days of bitter suffering, when life was 
worse than death, and yet of days that I would not care to 
forget altogether." 

Mr. Page's friends drew up their chairs and prepared to 
listen. 

"It was during the war in the early 60's," continued Mr. 
Page, "I was a member of Co. "A," 6th Michigan Cavalry, 
erne of the Regiments of General Custer's famous Brigade. 
With twenty-three members of my Company, and Co. "L." 
7th Michigan Cavalry, we were taken prisoners on the skirmish 
line near Orange Court House, Virginia, September 21st. 

273 



1863. We were taken to Libby Prison, where our Captain, 
who had been dangerously wounded, was paroled; that left 
twenty-two of us. 

"Early in December we were taken to the notorious Belle 
Isle Prison, three miles above Richmond, on the James River, 
where 5,000 men were confined on about an acre of ground 
without blankets or shelter. Of all the prison hells of the 
South, this was undoubtedly the worst. It had the record 
for mortality from hunger and privation in proportion to the 
number confined. 

"Eleven of us camped together, assisting each other all 
we could. A more royal band of young fellows I never met. 
The liveliest one of all the eleven was William V. Bowles, 
First Sergeant of Co. "L,," 7th Michigan Cavalry. He w r as 
born and reared in the English Army. He was small in size, 
but big in heart, one of the most generous, jolly companions I 
ever knew. 

"Christmas Day, 1863, came and with it a faint hope that 
a little of the sentiment, Teace on earth, good will to men' 
might prevail among our captors sufficient to induce them 
to give us a little additional allowance of corn bread or a pint of 
'Nigger' pea soup, one of which was our daily portion. We 
were always hungry, but the gnawing at our stomachs seemed 
even worse than usual ; was it not Christmas ? The usual hour 
for issuing rations passed, but the pea soup didn't come. The 
time dragged by. In my mind I can even now see that gaunt, 
starving crowd of men as they stood around waiting for food 
that a self-respecting dog would refuse. At last we were told 
that the Commissary was too busy celebrating the day to 
get us anything to eat before the morrow. 

"This was too much for Bowles. He cursed the "blasted 
Confederacy" from Jeff Davis down. Suddenly, after his 
indignation had somewhat subsided, he jumped to his feet and 
addressing the inseparable eleven, exclaimed : 

274 



" "Ere ye, you blooming, hungry Yanks, we are not to be 
swindled this way ; hi ham going to hinvite you to a Christmas 
dinner we will have just as soon as we get into God's country 
once more." Then taking out his note book, he wrote the 
names of the eleven men comprising our squad. Next fol- 
lowed 'Bill of fare of the dinner that we did not get Christ- 
mas Day, 1863,' and it was an elaborate menu, too. I only 
remember a few of the items. There was plum pudding, 
turkey, oysters, and beef. It was his English idea of what a 
Christmas dinner ought to be. The very reading of it brought 
tears to the eyes of these starving men. We thought then 
that we would soon be exchanged or paroled and really ex- 
pected to eat that dinner in the near future. 

"Time went slowly on. The last of February, 1864, we 
were moved to Andersonville Prison, Georgia, where 35,000 
Union soldiers were kept on less than 25 acres of ground 
during that summer and spring. One by one the men of our 
Company succumbed to the horrors of the place, until just 
Bowles and myself remained of the twenty-three young fel- 
lows who were captured on the skirmish line one year before. 
Sherman's Army drew near and all the prisoners were sent to 
Savannah, Charleston and other points. Bowles and I were 
moved to Savannah, then to Millen and on the 21st day of 
November, 1864, just fourteen months to a day from the time 
we were captured, we were exchanged and started up North. 
"We were sights to behold, emaciated, ragged and dirty; 
we were the very picture of misery, and yet Bowles through 
it all had never lost heart and was the same jovial companion 
as in the days when our Brigade first took the field. After 
five days sailing we arrived at Annapolis, where we spent the 
week getting filled up, cleaned up and dressed up. Then we 
were given a furlough to go home to Michigan. Bowles was 
continually worrying about that Christmas dinner, and when 
we reached Baltimore nothing would do but that we must 

275 



go to the best restaurant in the city and have it; and we did. 
The tables in the room were not large. 'Waiter/ ordered 
Bowles, 'we want a table set for eleven men, and give us the 
best service you 'ave.' 

"I remonstrated with Bowles, but it was no use. 'This is 
the last tribute we can pay to those dead comrades and I am 
going to 'ave my way,' he said. Then with his memorandum 
book that was worn and black, he called off the names of our 
squad of eleven, only two of whom responded. Next, he read 
the bill of fare to the amazed waiter and ordered eleven 
dinners. 

"Some time afterwards the head waiter came around and 
said, 'Your dinner is ready, but where are the rest of your 
company?' 'They're down South, dead,' was Bowles' reply. 

"Then we sat down and were served to every dish that bill 
of fare contained. The eleven plates were filled at every 
course; it was the most remarkable Christmas dinner I ever 
ate. While our hearts were filled with thankfulness so* far as 
we were personally concerned, our thoughts went back to the 
time, a year before, when our dead comrades and ourselves 
had stood about a Southern prison vainly praying for a pint, 
of pea soup that was a prisoner's daily allowance. It was 
indeed a Christmas dinner that I shall never forget." 



270 




1863. 



1901. 



David Bierd, 



Sergeant Co. V 
Carrollton, Saginaw Co., Mich. 

Born at Manverse, Durham County, Out., February 6th, 
1845; enlisted at Saginaw, Saginaw County, Mich., March 
17th, 1863, as Private in Co. "Li," 7th Michigan Cavalry; 
was promoted to Corporal in March, 1864, Duty Sergeant in 
May, 1864, acted as First Sergeant from February 28th, 
1865, promoted to First Sergeant April, 1865,; mustered out 
at Salt Lake City, Utah, March 10th, 1866, and honorably 
discharged. 



277 



FIRST TIME UNDER FIRE. 
By David Bierd. 

Companies "L" and "M" joined the Regiment at Boons- 
boro, Md., July 8th, 1863. 

On July 14th I was detailed to report at headquarters for 
duty. Picture in your mind a new recruit standing nearly 
six feet high and weighing less than 150 pounds, dressed in 
a uniform that would fit a man weighing two hundred pounds, 
looking for headquarters, and you will see a fair likeness of 
the writer, a recruit at the age of eighteen. On reaching head- 
quarters I was directed to report to Colonel Litchfield as Or- 
derly. When I found the Colonel and reported he looked me 
over and I fancied I could see a smile on his face as he took 
in my measurement. After examination he directed me to 
follow him, which I did for about eight months, or until he 
was taken prisoner on the Kilpatrick Raid around Richmond, 
March 1st, 1864. 

In my first battle, "Falling Waters," the Regiment fully 
mounted, advanced along the side of a hill, but we did not go 
far before we were in range of the Rebel guns. As we were 
advancing their shells went flying over our heads, striking 
'the ground in front of us and throwing dirt in our faces; 
this strange music of the shells and the excitement of the 
situation was new to me and so terrific that the Colonel with 
apprehension looked over his shoulder to see how his new 
Orderly was taking his medicine. We advanced but a few 
miles further when we encountered the Johnnies behind strong 
breastworks. The 6th Michigan made a charge and carried 
the works, losing a Major and a number of men; the 7th 
Michigan then moved as a support to their left; Major Gran- 
ger, of our Regiment, with his Battalion being sent to our 
right. He then advanced between the 6th and the 7th, hav- 
ing dismounted part of his command and drove the enemy 
from the field. Our Regiment was then divided, part going 

278 



to support the skirmishers and the rest to the support of 
Battery "M." An order was given for the portion of the 
Regiment supporting Battery "M" to charge; Colonel Mann 
turned to Colonel Litchfield and said, "You lead the charge 
and I will see what the General wants." Colonel Litchfield 
then gave the order, "Draw sabres ! Forward, Charge !" and 
turned to me and said, "If my horse is killed or wounded go 
to the rear and hurry forward to me another one." You can 
imagine how green I was when I had to inquire of him where 
I would find the rear. 

With less than one hundred men in line, with Colonel 
Litchfield in the lead, we charged down a lane in column of 
fours, with the Johnnies in a field on our left, and in an or- 
chard on our right. On coming out of the lane and up onto 
a small rise of ground where stood an old log house, we were 
more than surprised to find in view from three to four thou- 
sand Rebel Infantry, not more than ten rods in our front. At 
this point Colonel Litchfield, with his sabre above his head, 
roared out with a voice of thunder, "Down with your guns, 
every mother's son of you !" and all you could see were the 
hands and hats of the Rebels waving frantically in the air. 
When the Colonel took time to look around all he could see 
were two men, Captain Sargeant of Co. "H" and myself, the 
balance of the Regiment were busy caring for over four 
hundred prisoners they had taken. Our position on the hill 
getting too hot we fell back and were kept on the skirmish 
line the remainder of the day. 

This is a rough account of what I saw and heard in my 
first day's fight and battle. 



279 




1865. 

Reuben N. Ormsby, 
Co. "L." 

Armada, Mich. 

Born in Livonia Township, Wayne County, Mich., Feb- 
ruary 11th, 1843; enlisted at Pontiac, Oakland County, Mich.. 
February 3rd, 1805, as Private in Co. "L," 7th Michigan 
Cavalry; detailed as Adjutant's Clerk by Adjutant Charles 
O. Pratt, May 20th, 1865; mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, 
Kansas, December 10th, 1865, and honorably discharged. 



280 




281 




1865. 

James B. Loomis, 

Captain Co. "M." 
Nome, Alaska. 

Born at Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich., April 11th, 183U ; 
enlisted at Battle Creek, Mich., September 4th, 1862, as Ser- 
geant in Co. "A," 7th Michigan Cavalry; promoted to Sergeant 
Major May 1st, 1803, First Lieutenant August 1st, 1863 ; 
Captain, May 24th, 1805 ; mustered out at Fort Leavenworth, 
Kansas, December loth, 1865, and honorably discharged. 



'2*2 





1864. 



1901. 



John B. Masten, 

First Lieutenant Co. "M." 
Adrian, Lenawee Co., Mich. 

Born January 7th, 1836, at Sparta, Livingston County, N. 
Y. ; enlisted at Raisin, Lenawee County, Mich., December 9th, 
1802, as private in Co. "I," 7th Michigan Cavalry; was pro- 
moted to Sergeant January 15th, 1863, and to Second Lieu- 
tenant August 16th, 1864, to First Lieutenant May 24th, 
1865, and transferred to 1st Michigan Veteran Cavalry No- 
vember 17th, 1865; mustered out at Salt Lake City, Utah Ter., 
March 10th, 1866, and honorably discharged. 



283 







1865 



1901 



William O. Lee, 

Quartermaster Sergeant Co. "M." 
379 Hancock Ave. East, Detroit, Mich. 

Born November 17th, 1844, in Arbela Township, Tuscola 
County, Mich.; enlisted at Saginaw, E. S., Saginaw County, 
Mich.. February 1 Ith, L864, as private in Co. "M," Tth Michi- 
gan Cavalry; promoted to Corporal June 15th, 1865, and 
detailed to acl as Quartermaster Sergeant of Co. "M ;" pro- 
moted to Quartermaster Sergeant August lath, 1865; mus- 
tered "tit at Fori Leavenworth, Kansas, December 7th, 1865, 
and honorably discharged. 

DISAPPOINTMENTS. 
By Win. O. I.., 

Well do we all remember the surrender at Appomattox, and 
afterwards the northward march doing reconstruction duty, 

284 



reaching Alexandria on the 19th of May, 1865, where the 
mounted and unmounted of our Regiment once more joined 
forces, and on the 20th marched from Alexandria to Washing- 
ton by way of the famous long bridge ; going into camp on the 
outskirts of the Capital City; the Grand Review on the 22d 
and 23d of May; Governor Crapo's visit to our camp, and his 
assurance that we were going home ; and our boarding a train 
of cattle cars that were to transport us to the glorious North 
and our pleasant homes. 

Then followed disappointment after disappointment. The 
next morning after leaving Washington we awakened to find 
ourselves at Harper's Ferry and speeding South and West 
instead of at Baltimore and northward towards our homes. 
Disappointment when we arrived and left Parkersburg, W. 
Va., steaming down the Ohio River past Cincinnati and Louis- 
ville, rounding Cairo, up the Mississippi River, past St. Louis, 
and up the Missouri River, past Jefferson City to Fort Leaven- 
worth, Kansas, where we landed on June 6th. 

Disappointment to those whose time had or was about to 
expire, that they were not mustered out and allowed to go 
home; and to the balance that they were not getting their pay 
for services rendered, nor informed of their future and des- 
tination. 

Disappointment when on the morning of the 24th of June 
we were ordered to horse and saddle, and started on our west- 
ward march across the barren plains, and through a country 
infested with hostile bands of Indians, to where, no one knew, 
nor could we find out ; when on July 28th we reached Fort Col- 
lins in the Rocky Mountains. From there on we continued 
our westward march detailing men from our ranks and leaving 
them at each station as we passed, constantly depleting our 
numbers until the 6th of August, Co. "M" reached Sulphur 
Spring Station, N. D., our western post. 

285 



Disappointment at delay of specific information from the 
War Department as to our final disposition. 

Disappointment on October 5th, when an order from 
the War Department was received, ordering a portion of our 
command to return East to be mustered out, while a part of 
the command was ordered to remain in the service and march 
farther West. 

Disappointment to those returning East when at Denver, 
Col., on the 30th of October, with a foot of snow on the ground, 
we were ordered to turn in our horses, equipment and ordnance, 
and start on a march of nearly seven hundred miles on foot, 
through the enemy's country in the dead of winter. 

Disappointment when we reached Fort Leavenworth on 
December 3d and found that we were not to be mustered out 
until we reach Michigan. 

Disappointment when we were mustered out to find that the 
Government compelled us to pay our own transportation from 
Denver to Fort Leavenworth, and upon that point we have 
been disappointed ever since. 

But with all our disappointments we felt to thank God when 
we received our spread-eagles in the form of a discharge as a 
permit from the Government admitting that we were once 
more free men at liberty to wander as we choose, and free from 
military orders and military dictations. 




286 




1863. 



1902. 



John F. Simpson, 

Sergeant Co. "M." 
Grand Ledge, Mich. 

Born at Pine Woods, Madison County, N. Y., March 13th, 
1845; enlisted at Ionia, Ionia County, Mich., December 16th, 
1861, as Private in Co. "I," 1st Berdans U. S. Sharp Shoot- 
ers; mustered out at Baltimore, Md., September 15th, 1862, 
and honorably discharged. 

Enlisted at Ionia, Ionia County, Mich., June 11th, 1863, as 
Sergeant in Co. "M," 7th Michigan Cavalry; taken prisoner 
at Morton's Ford, Va., December 28th, 1863, and was con- 
fined at Libby, Belle Isle, Andersonville, and Millen prisons; 
paroled at Savannah, Ga., November 20th, 1864; exchanged 
January 1st, 1865; joined the Regiment May 1st, 1865; mus- 
tered out at Salt Lake City, Utah, March 10th, 1866, and 
honorably discharged. 



287 



ANDERSONVIULE. 
By John F. Simpson. 

At eight o'clock on the night of January 1st, 1864, known 
as "the cold New Year's/' I registered at Libby Prison in 
Richmond, Va. 

Although it was thirty-eight years ago, I can remember 
nearly every one of the poor starved faces of the little con- 
tingent of the 7th Michigan Cavalry who crowded around me 
to learn the news from the front and to tell the horrors of that 
dreadful place. 

After a sojourn of eleven months in various Rebel prisons, 
I give it as my opinion that there never was (nor never will 
be) another such place of confinement as Andersonville. The 
original enclosure of nineteen acres was established in an un- 
broken woods, and the timber was only removed as it was 
wanted for the necessities of the prison. The enclosure was 
made in January, 1864, and enlarged during the summer to 
twenty-five acres, being a quadrangle of 1,285 feet by 865 feet. 
The greatest length was from north to south, the ground 
rising from the center towards each end in rather a steep, 
rounded hill; the northern one being the highest and of the 
greatest extent. 

A small stream ran across it through a narrow valley filled 
with a compost washed down by the rains. The stockade was 
formed of pine logs twenty feet in length and about eight to 
ten inches in diameter, sunk five feet in the ground and placed 
close together. Within the interior space, at a distance of 
seventeen feet from the stockade, ran the "dead line," marked 
by small posts and a narrow strip of pine boards nailed on the 
tops of them. The gates, of which there were two, were on 
the west side of the stockade, enclosing a space of thirty feet 
square, "more or less," protected by massive doors at either 
end. They were arranged and swung on the principal of canal 
locks. 

?88 



Upon the stockade were fifty-two sentry boxes, raised 
above the tops of the palisades and accessible to the guards by 
ladders. In these stood fifty-two guards with loaded arms and 
so near that they could converse with each other. In addition 
to these were several forts mounted with field artillery com- 
manding the fatal space and its masses of perishing men. 
Even after the lapse of so many years I hardly dare to recall 
the terrible scenes I witnessed in that cruel, unrelenting place. 
Of the long months of starvation when one knew neither 
shelter nor protection from the changeable skies above, nor 
the pitiless, unfeeling earth beneath. Think of thirty thou- 
sand men penned in by a closed stockade upon twenty-five 
acres of ground, from which every tree and shrub had been 
.uprooted for fuel to cook our scanty food, huddled like cattle 
without shelter or blankets, half clad and hungry, with the 
dreary night setting in after a day of autumn rain. The high 
ground would not hold us all, the valley was filled with the 
swollen brook, while seventeen feet from the stockade ran the 
fatal dead line, beyond which no man might step and live. 

With the mingling of over thirty thousand men, composed 
of all elements, there is always bound to be many of the bad. 
especially when hunger and starvation stares them in the face; 
such was the case in Andersonville, and by them pillaging and 
even murder was being committed. Such depreciations had 
grown to alarming proportions and the better element pro- 
posed to hunt out the guilty parties and make an example of 
them. With that end in view, the prison was policed, arrests 
made and guilty parties convicted and punished, and as evi- 
dence of the fact I herewith make a copy of my diary as kept 
at that time : 

"July 11th, 1SG4. — This has been the greatest day of my 
prison life. The whole camp of over 30,000 men has been in 
an excited turmoil since early morning. The six condemned 
'Raiders' were executed to-day. Abont twenty-five of the 

280 



gang were taken outside a week ago by permission of Captain 
Wirz and were given a fair trial by our own men, First Ser- 
geant O. W. Carpenter of Co. "M," 7th Michigan Cavalry, 
acting as Judge Advocate. The six men hung to-day were all 
known to have robbed and murdered helpless comrades. Their 
names are William Collins, alias Mosby, Co. "D," 88th Penn- 
sylvania; John Sarsfield, 144th New York; Charles Curtis, 
Battery "A," 5th Rhode Island Artillery; Pat Delaney, 83rd 
Pennsylvania; A. Munn, U. S. Navy, and W. R. Rickson, 
U. S. Navy. 

''They were brought into camp about ten o'clock by Cap- 
tain Wirz and turned over to our police squad under command 
of 'Limber Jim,' who superintended the hanging. Father 
Hamilton, a Catholic Priest, accompanied them to the scaffold. 
Curtis, who got his arms freed, made a break for liberty, but 
was soon run down and brought back, when the six were 
assisted to mount the scaffold and placed in a row, all standing 
on the one plank. All were given a chance to talk and with 
the exception of Rickson took advantage of the opportunity. 
Munn, a fine looking fellow in Marine dress, said that starva- 
tion with evil companions had made him what he was. He 
spoke of his mother and sisters in New York and said the sad 
news that would be carried home to them made him want to 
curse God that he had ever been born. Delaney said he would 
rather be hung than live here, as the most of them had to live, 
on their allowance of rations. I le bid us all good-bye and said 
his name was not Delaney, therefore his friends would never 
know his fate, his Andersonville history dying with him. 

"At a signal from 'Limber Jim' the plank was knocked 
from under them and we saw them change from strong men to 
dangling heaps of clothes. The rope broke with Collins and he 
begged hard for his life, but it was all in vain, and he was soon 
swinging with the rest. 

"The death rate is increasing rapidly and is now over one 

290 



hundred every day, mostly from scurvy and starvation, and 
this on only twenty-five acres of ground." 

What did we do? Need you ask. Where did we go? God 
only knew. For on the face of this whole green earth there 
was no place for us but that circumscribed twenty-five acres. 
It has been said that history repeats itself, but I am assured in 
my own mind that the horrors inflicted by that monster 
"Wirz" and the sufferings endured by the 12,920 helpless 
Union priosoners who starved to death at Andersonville will 
never be duplicated. Among them are the following members 
of my own Regiment : 



Co. A. 
O'Brien, William H. 
Springer, Joseph 

Co. B. 
Hartsell, George 
Jakeway, Ebenezer 
McCaughn, William 
Whittaker, Joseph F. 

Co. C. 
Clago, Stephen 
Fredenburg, Benj. F. 
Honsinger, Walter L. 
Jagnet, E. B. 
Parks, Van Rensaler 
Parmalee. Joseph 
Schermerhorn, John 
Way, Thomas H. 

Co. D. 
Gibbs, Joseph S. 
Grant, Anson H. 
Hale. Samuel B. 
Hance, Charles 
McArthur, Wallace 
Pettibone, Salem E. 
Sprague. Benjamin 

Co. E. 
Arseno, William H. 
Daily, Almerick 
Findlater, Hugh 
Keating, Michael 
Lowell. James 
Simonds, Barlow H. 



Simonds, Albert O. 

Co. F. 
Blanchard, James 
Cooper, John F. 
Cruice, John D. 
Howe, Isaac O. 
Riley, Miles 
Stewart, Clark 
Miller, L. 

Co. G. 
Bennett, Irwin 
Johnson, Luman H. 

Co. H. 
McClary, W. H. 
McClure, Ralph 
Smith, Perry W. 

Co. I. 
Jackson, James 
Mosher, Stephen L. 
Parsons, Zenas 

Co. K. 
Springer, J. 
Tracy, Dori 
Tubbs, Philip 
Wright. William A. 

Co. L. 
Deas, Abraham 
Mason, Peter 
Smith, William 

Co. M. 
Barnard, G. 
Smith, William 



291 




1866. 
Harris G. Downs, 

Corporal Co. "M." 
Dead. 

Born at Tuscola, Tuscola County, Mich., May 8th, 1844; 
enlisted as private in Co. "M," 7th Michigan Cavalry, March 
20th, 18G3; promoted to Corporal of Co. "M" June, 1865; 
mustered out at Salt Lake City, Utah, March 10th, 1866, and 
honorably discharged. Died from the effects of a fractured 
knee from being thrown from a horse in Madison County, 
Mont., April 26th, 1869. 



292 




1864. 



1901. 



Thos. C. Wiujams, 

Corporal Co. "M." 
Hastings, Mich. 

Born March 28th, 1840, at Euclid, Cuyahoga County, O. ; 
enilsted at Grand Rapids, Mich., June 9th, 1863, as private in 
Co. "M," 7th Michigan Cavalry; was promoted to Corporal 
June. 18G5; mustered out at Salt Lake City, Utah Ter., March 
10th, 1860, and honorably discharged. 



293 




1901. 
DUANE WlLUTT, 

Co. "M." 
Vassar, Mich. 

Born at Theresa, Jefferson County, N. Y., June 5th, 1844; 
enlisted at Tuscola, Tuscola County, Mich., March 20th, 1863, 
as private in Co. "M," 7th Michigan Cavalry; mustered out 
at Washington, D. C, November 16th, 1865, and honorably 
discharged. 



294 




1901. 

Orange A. Jubb, 
Co. "M." 

Nunica, Ottawa Co., Mich. 

Born August 27th, 1839, in Ingham County, Mich. ; enlisted 
at Nunica, Ottawa County, Mich., April 1, 1863, as private in 
Co. "M," 7th Michigan Cavalry; was wounded at Sheppards- 
town, Va., August 25th, 1861, and lost left leg below the knee; 
was mustered out at Detroit, Mich., August 14th, 1865, and 
honorably discharged. 

WHEN I LOST MY LEG. 
By Orange A. Jubb. 

I was wounded at Sheppardstown on the 25th day of 
August, 1864, about 3 o'clock in the afternoon. 

Our Regiment had been in the advance since early in the 
morning and it must have been about 10 a. m. when we were 

295 



stopped by an overwhelming force of the Johnnies. We fought 
and held them at bay for about two hours, when we had to 
retreat. During that time I had shot sixty shots and had the 
last round of my cartridges in my carbine. I think I had shot 
two Johnnies, when in a charge in a cornfield I was hit by a 
minnie ball in my left leg below the knee. You all remember 
that cornfield ; if you do not, I do, and always will. 

I went to Captain Carpenter after I was wounded, as he 
was then acting as Major, and told him that I was wounded. 
He asked me if it was bad. I told him that my leg was broken, 
and he said io James Doyle, "Take Jubb's arms and go with 
him to the rear," which he did. Major Drew advised us to keep 
in the rear of the battery until we found the rear. 

About that time our boys succeeded in breaking the rebel 
line and the Brigade started for Sheppardstown Ford, where 
the balance of the Cavalry Corps were. Our Brigade had been 
cut off from the others and they were fighting near Sheppards- 
town. I and some more wounded took the road for Harper's 
Ferry, also some that were dismounted and some that were 
not who went along with us. I think about 200 in all. We 
got to Harper's Ferry about 11 o'clock that night. I rode 
my horse all the way except about one mile, when I rode in an 
ambulance. 

When the ball struck my leg it was numb and did not pain 
me for about an hour; after that it pained me fearfully. It 
does not hurt to be shot, but the after-collapse is the terror. 
My leg was amputated about midnight, August 25th. 

I remained at Harper's Ferry until the last of September; 
was then moved to Pleasant Valley, from there to Fredericks- 
burg, Md., and from there to Detroit, where I was discharged 
on the 14th day of August, 1805. 

My leg is in such a condition that I cannot wear an artificial 
leg, so have to use a peg leg, and will have to peg it all the days 
of my life. 

296 




1863. 

Frankijn Robinson, 

Co. "M." 

Dead. 

Born March 15th, 1812, at Robinson, Ottawa County, 
Mich. ; enlisted at Robinson, Ottawa County, Mich., April 20th, 
1863, as private in Co. "M," 7th Michigan Cavalry; was mus- 
tered out at Detroit September 21st, 1865, and honorably dis- 
charged. 



29; 




1901. 

Charles W. LooMib, 
Co. "M." 

Ivy P. O., Saginaw Co., Mich. 

Born June 13th, 1846, at Watertown, Jefferson County, N. 
Y. ; enlisted at Grand Haven, Mich., April, 1863, as private in 
Co. "M," 7th Michigan Cavalry; was wounded in reconnoisa L :ce 
on east bank of Rapidan River, in Virginia while on detacned 
service with Battery "K," 1st U. S. Regular Light Artillery, 
some time in the Autumn of 1863 ; was mustered out at Phila- 
delphia, Penn., July 5th, 1865, and honorably discharged. 



298 




1901. 

George R. Perry, 
Co. "M." 

St. Johns, Mich. 

Born at Colton, St. Lawrence County, N. Y., October 
14th, 1846; enlisted at Maple Rapids, Clinton County, Mich., 
June 6th, 1863, as Private in Co. "M," 7th Michigan Cavalry; 
wounded in right shoulder on the 1st of April at the Battle of 
Five Forks; mustered out at Detroit, Mich., September 2nd, 
1865, and honorably discharged. 



299 



THE DAUGHTER OF THE REGIMENT 




1S9 2 

M R S. 1 1 M M A M ANN V V N N E , 
Care of "Tin- Smart Set." 452 Fifth Ave., New York, X. V. 

Daughter of Col. W. 1). Mann, 
•leered to the Regiment October 19th, 1900. 

800 



THE BABY 




1902. 

Rita Mary Lee. 
Born August 2d, 1896. 
Daughter of Wm. O. and Rose Vail Lee, 
379 Hancock Ave. E., Detroit, Mich. 

301 



APPENDIX 



"ROLL OF HONOR" 

CONTAINING THE NAMES OF MEMBERS OF THE SEVENTH MICHIGAN 

VOLUNTEER CAVALRY, WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN BATTLE, 

DIED OF WOUNDS AND DISEASE, AND IN REBEL PRISONS 

CURING THE WAR OF THE REBELLION AND A 

PARTIAL LIST SO FAR AS KNOWN OF 

THOSE WHO HAVE DIED 

SINCE THE WAR AS 

Compiled by DR. ASA B. ISHAM, 

La'e First Lieutenant of Company "F." 



Taken from "THE HISTORY OF THE SEVENTH MICHIGN CAVALRY" as com- 
piled by Lieutenant ]. Q. A. Sessions, late of Company "D," and from the "RECORDS 
OF THE SEVENTH MICHIGAN CAVALRY ASSOCIATION." 



302 



ABSENT MEMBERS. 
Address of Dr. Asa B. Isham, Oct. H, 1901. 

I acknowledge a sort of retributive justice in calling upon 
me to answer for the absent members, in as much as I have 
been more conspicuous by my absence than by my presence in 
years past; not as a matter of choice upon my part, but, arising 
out of the necessities of one who has to labor for his daily 
bread. Every one with any soul in him must regret to miss 
these meetings. At least to me they are an inspiration, and 
after each one I attend I return to my daily duties with a 
greater feeling of satisfaction in the reflection that I hold 
membership in a body of men of distinguished merit. To rine 
moved by this sentiment of the worth of his old associates this 
gathering has an attraction, it constitutes for the time being 
the center of his mental vision. He strains the ear, perchance 
to catch a word of Crane's polished oratory, of Colonel Briggs' 
keen wit, of President Lee's happy hits, of the drolleries es- 
caping from the lips of Captain Fisher, of a note of Wescott's 
melody, now, alas, hushed forever ; or, a morsel of the weighty 
wisdom that wells up through the tall forms of Chaplain Nash 
and Lieutenant Sessions. And when a listener becomes very 
intent the mouth commonly gapes open and becomes parched. 
It is in order then to moisten it and the moistening may have 
to be repeated at frequent intervals. When, therefore, late at 
night, the "absent member" presents himself to his spouse, 
quite moist and limp, the inquiry is natural upon her part as to 
what may have caused his condition. A Regimental Reunion 
away off in Kalamazoo or Detroit may seem to the good 
woman a very remote explanation ; but there are mysteries that 
even the brightest of us fail to grasp. 

You may depend upon it that the absent members bear us 
in mind to-night. The true soldier is ever responsive to the 
ties of comradeship, and you may rest assured that the living 
absent members will come in, as occasion permits, to renew the 
bond of "blood brotherhood." 

303 



But there are absent ones who never yet have met with us 
in this Association and whom we shall never greet again upon 
this side of the dark river. Three hundred and fifty of our 
best comrades fell upon the field of battle, died of wounds, or 
were starved to death in Rebel prisons during the progress of 
the war. 

Such men as : 



Lieutenant Colonel Melvin Brewer 
Major Henry W. Granger 

Co. A. 
Adams', Oscar H. 
Alexander, Samuel 
Brickell, Edward J. 
Brownell, Horace 
Chappell, Chester C. 
Dumphrey, Edwin 
Heinck, John 
Knapp, Charles C. 
Lang, Edward S. 
Lingo, Daniel 
Luke, J. W. 
Matchett, Noel 
O'Brien, William H. 
Park, John 
Parks, Allen C. 
Pierce, Sidney S. 
Shafer, Charles F. 
Springer, Joseph R. 
Strong, George W. 
Walter, Nelson 
Wilcox, Charles 
Worthen, George A. 

Co. B. 
Austin, Stephen 
Baker, George 
Fisher, Mathias 
Hager, John S. 
Hartsell, George 
Haskins, James 
Hicks, Hamilton 
Jakeway. Ebenezer 
Keller, Henry H. 
Laird, William J. 
Larrue, Hiram J. 
Long, Edward 
McCaughn, William 
Perkins. Mvron H. 



Russel, Jason 
Stearns, William A. 
Whittaker, Joseph F. 

Co. C. 
Barnhart, Martin 
Case, Silas D. 
Church, Benjamin 
Clago, Stephen 
Cook, Elliott A. 
Deihl, Henry 
Fredenburg, B. F. 
Heminger, Isaac 
Hill, John 
Honsinger, Walter 
Jagnet, E. B. 
Kelliher, Maurice 
Miller, Jacob L. 
McComber, William 
Parks, Van Rensaler 
Parmelee, Joseph 
Schermerhorn, John 
Smith, Charles 
Way, Thomas H. 

Co. D. 
Adams, William H. 
Bush, Christian 
Bush, Fredrick 
Compau, Peter 
Fordham, Albert 
Gibbs, Joseph H. 
Gilbert, George W. 
Grant, Anson H. 
Haines. Henry 
Hale, Samuel B. 
Hance. Charles 
Hartland, H. P. 
Jackson, Orlando D. 
Karcher, Johiel 
Mason, George I. 
McArthur, Wallace 



304 



Milburn, John 
Pettibone, Salem E. 
Sprague, Benjamin 
Thompson, Henry 
Vaness, George E. 

Co. E. 
Arseno, William H. 
Croman, William 
Daily, Almerick 
Finch, Charles O. 
Finch, Robert 
Findlater, Hugh 
Hopkins, Horace 
House, Barnum B. 
Keating, Michael. 
Kisner, Samuel 
Lowell, James 
McLain, Alexander 
Nay, Harmon 
Robinson, James' B. 
Simonds, Albert O. 
Simonds, Barlow H. 
Smith, Thomas 

Co. F. 
Armstrong, James H. 
Bedel, Harlan 
Bedel, James T. 
Blanchard, James 
Cochran, Harlan 
Cooper, John F. 
Cruice, John D. 
Guio, Henry 
Hoag, Robert 
Howe, Isaac O. 
Lundy, George W. 
Mercer, Thomas 
Miller, L. 
Minor, Charles E. 
Page, Truman 
Paule, Jacob 
Ralph, Oscar O. 
Riley, Miles 
Stewart, Clark T. 
Wilson, Royal S. 

Co. G. 
Bennett, Irwin 
Churchill, Alfred W. 
Crampton, T. H. 
Delamater, Martin R. 
Johnson, Luman H. 
Motley, Thomas 
Spear, Truman 



Co. H. 
Knapp, Vine 
McClary, William H. 
McClure, Ralph 
Mills, Harvey 
Nichols, William H. 
Reasoner, Henry M. 
Smith, Perry W. 
Stewart, John 
Woodard, Henry J. 

Co. I. 
Cochran, William J. 
Hasty, Robert 
Jackson, James 
Mosher, Stephen L. 
Nolan, Arthur D. 
Parsons, Zenas 
Williams, Squire 

Co. K. 
Baker, Daniel 
Downer, Jacob R. 
Dunn, Daniel 
England, Morris 
Hamel, Herman or Harrison 
Ingledue, Eber 
Isham, 'George 
McDonald, John J. 
Smith, Eli 
Springer, J. 
Tracy, David 
Tubbs, Philip 
Wright, William A. 

Co. L. 
Mead, Lieutenant Joseph L. 
Bates, William F. 
Brown, William 
Cameron, Daniel 
Coombs, John G. 
Dees, Abraham 
Green, Albert A. 
Hooker, Alonzo H, 
Johnson, Henry 
Mayfield, Henry 
Mason, Peter 
Pattison, Henry 
Pomeroy, David H. 
Rammont, John 
Rolling, Charles D. 
Siel, David 
Smith, William 
Terry, George A. 
Thompson, Thomas D. 



305 



Wilson, John 
Wright, Ephriam 

Co. M. 
Carver, Lieutenant Lucius 
Austin, Francis 
Barnard, G. 
Carpenter, Otis W. 
Durham, Emery 
Fox, C. A. 



Fox, William H. 
Gunner, James 
Hawkins, Alphonzo 
Perkins, Henry 
Perkinson, George 
Quirk, John 
Smith, William 
Taber, Winneld S. 
Van Duzer, Charles E. 



Fully a thousand more have passed away, during and 
since the war, of disease, and, in consequence of wounds re- 
ceived in action. It is manifestly impossible to name them all, 



but among them are 



Major John L. Huston 
Major L. F. Warner 
Major Alexander Walker 
Surgeon William Upjohn 
Surgeon George R. Richards 

Co. A. 
Bradley, Randall P. 
Briminstool, Alonzo 
Clark, Edgar A. 
Collins', Joseph 
Fulton, David 
Hogan, Patrick 
Lowry, Alexander 
Marcott, Oliver 
Millman, Samuel 
Sayers, Nathan S. 
Schrowder, Michael 
Smith, Alonzo D. 
Stanton, Charles W. 
Taylor, Ezekiel 
T rumble, James 
Walling, Pitts J. 
Welton, George A. 

Co. B. 
Gray, Lieuteant Elliott 
Bridleman, George W. 
Hill, Albert W. 
Howard, Andrew 
Jordan, James N. 
Nincy, Henry 
Safford, Josiah 
Seymour, Wilson B. 
Van Pelt, Francis H. 

Co. C. 
Hamlin, Captain John TT. 
Crocker, Lieutenant Erastus B. 
Holton, Lieuteant Charles M. 



Belden, H. S. 
Hunter, W. W. 
Knowles, William H. 
Morton, Robert 
Sherman, Nelson 
Trumbal, Simeon E. 
Van Voorhees, William 

Co. D. 
Birney, Captain James G. 
Benham, Elias P. 
Chandler, Horace 
Clark, Lafayette F. 
Gladding, Onslow 

Co. G. 
Ferris, Lieutenant George 
Hill, Lieutenant George W. 
Bates, J. D. 
Bell, William 
Chappel, Enoch 
Dice, Francis 
Henderson, George 
Ipe, John 
North, Charles 
Philips, George S. 
Tibbitts, Howard A. 

Co. H. 
Douglas, Captain Richard 
Sergeant, Captain David 
Clark, Lieutenant Franklin B. 
Dunnett, Lieutenant D. W. 
Andrus, Henry 
Batt, James A. 
Briggs, John E. 
Clark, James 
Fisher, Albert H. 
Kemp, Alfred 
Kent, Theodore F. 



306 



Martin, Eugene W. 
Mason, Charles 
Mingo, James H. 

Norwood, 

Palmer, John L. 
Prentice, Sidney R. 
Richards, William H. 
Rowley, William H. 
Russell, James F. 
Shean, William 
Smith, Stephen D. 

Co. I. 
Clark, Captain John A. 
Littlefield, Lieutenant Daniel 
Bennett, Reuben 
Cornell, Samuel 
Dreifenbacher, Andrew 
Fairchilds, James 
Fish, Austin O. 
Gardner, William 
Gay, Newton S. 
Hall, Lorinus A. 
Harris, George 
Grisler, Charles 
Hartson, Henry N. 
Hammil, M. V. 
Hawkins, Joseph N. 
Herring, Willis W. 
Holmes, W. I. 
Howe, George W. 
Lindsay, Wallace 
Marsh, Oliver 
Preston, E. A. 
Pickett, Orange 
Price, William 
Smoke, Abram 
Traver, Bushnell 
Turner, David 
Vroman, David 
Whitcomb, Orin J. 

Co. E. 
Willits, Captain Wellington 
Andrews, Charles 
Bolton, William C. 
Case, Paul 
Davenport, John 
Higby, Elisha J. 
Joslyn, Rudolphus 
King, Vincent 
Lee, Chauncey L. 
Loomis, Augustus S. 
Luther, C. L. 
Meech, Charles K. 
Monroe, William 



Parmeter, Orville 
Palmer, William H. 
Whitman, Hiram 

Co. F. 
Dodge, Lieutenant Winchester T. 
Lyon, Lieutenant Charles 
Blodgett, Jay 
Cain, Russel A. 
Fritts, Alvin W. 
Hoagland, Abram 
Johnson, Charles 
Kelly, William J. 
Lewis, Edward F. 
Mellon, Jerome 
Peck, John W. 
Robinson, George H. 
Philips, Peleg T. 
Stowe, Simeon 
Williams, Job J. 
Henderson, Charles 
Jones, Josiah W. 
Lewis, J. 

Lucas, Charles H. 
McDale, John R. 
McLoud, John 
Polmanteer, S. A. 
Shepherd, Perry 
Sommers, John 
Wescott, Andrew 
Wood, John 

Co. K. 
Moore, Captain Heman N. 
Bennett, Nelson 
Boswell, Abram 
Cline, Andrew J. 
Livermore, Henry H. 
Lowe, Henry 
Madison, Joseph 
Rankin, Peter A. 
Reed, Henry A. 
Robinson, Franklin 
Spencer, James L. 
Stanwell, James O. 
Stilwell, James O. 

Co. L. 
Carll, Lieutenant Samuel B. 
Baird, Henry C. 
Benson, Stephen E. 
Brenen, Michael 
Gates, George W. 
Gates, Henry J. 
Marshall. Richard 
Mosher, Charles 
Smith, John 



307 



Co. M. Fisher, Albert 

Gregg, Lieutenant Riley A. Gififord, George R. 

Munson, Lieutenant Henry P. Riggs, E. R. 

Brannan, M. Sprague, William P. 

Cofman, John Sickles, Josiah R. 

Coates, L. Steucke, Henry 

The small minority remaining is crowding hard upon those 
departed, so that, "One doth tread upon another's heels so 
fast they follow." These Comrades, through their noble patri- 
otism, have glorified humanity, exalted the Nation, and en- 
rolled themselves among the blessed. We cherish their mem- 
ories, they are enshrined in our hearts, and, we would not 
recall them if we could. 

"We will not weep for them who died so well, 
But we will gather 'round the hearth and tell 
The story of their lives." 

And the story will disclose that, in the hot fires of battle 
they welded a tottering Republic into a mighty Nation, for the 
deliverance from tyranny of millions upon millions of beings 
in two hemispheres, as well also as for the uplifting of all peo- 
ple everywhere. But for the "absent ones," and you, my 
comrades, gathered here to-night, who sustained and bore it 
up from 1862 to 1865, "Old Glory" would not have been the 
unequivocal symbol of liberty, union and strength that it is 
to-day, as it grandly floats, an object of reverence at home and 
of respect everywhere abroad. 

Our "absent ones," as well as those present, belong to the 
immortals referred to in the sublime words of the great Lin- 
coln at Gettysburg, "The brave men, living and dead, who 
struggled here have consecrated it far beyond our power to 
add or detract; the world will little note, nor long remember, 
what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here." 



308 



INDEX 

PICTURES, PERSONALS AND COMPANIES 



NAME. NO. OP PICTURES. PAGE. 

Anthony, Henry L 2 96 

Appendix 302 

Armstrong, Capt. Geo. A 2 154 

Baby, The 301 

Barden, William C 2 246 

Barnes, E. W 2 268 

Beardslee, Clark H 234 

Bellingar, George W 2 266 

Bellinger, R. Marshall 2 98 

Bierd, David 2 277 

Birney, Capt. James G 2 157 

Bowles, Lieut. William V 272 

Briggs, Col. George G 2 34 

Carpenter, Major James L 2 55 

Carver, Lieut. Lucius 89 

Clark, Lieut. Frank B 254 

Cobb, George P 2 188 

Company "A" 85 

Company "B" Ill 

Company "C" 121 

Company "D" 153 

Company "E" 195 

Company "F" 219 

Company "G" 243 

Company "H" 253 

Company "I" 261 

Company "K" 267 

Company "L" 271 

Company "M" 281 

Cook, Elliott A 133 

Crane, Albert 2 208 

Crossett, Corydon 187 

Custer, General George A 17 

309 



NAME. NO. OF PICTURES. PAGE. 

Darling, Lt. Col. Daniel H 2 46 

Daughter of the Regiment '. . 300 

DeGraff, Lieut. Henry 78 

Dobson, George W 2 179 

Doherty, Joseph 235 

Downs, Harris 292 

Ferris, Lieut. George 228 

Fisher, Captain William H 2 86 

Fisher, William 255 

Gage, William Glover 2 128 

Genney, David G 2 211 

Granger, Major Henry W 51 

Grant, General U. S 12 

Gray. Lieut. Elliott 112 

Griffin, Bartholomew 2 122 

Hastings, Lieut. William 262 

Havens, Lieut. Edwin R 2 90 

Helmer, Albert M 2 151 

Hibbard, W. H 250 

Hill; Lieut. George W 2 244 

Holmes, Capt. R. H 2 196 

Hoover, William H 2 137 

House, William E 2 116 

Hulce, Benj 264 

Hunt, Oscar I 105 

Hustler, Charles 142 

Isham, Lieut. Asa B 2 223 

295 



Jubb. Orange A 

Kenfield, William F 2 238 

Kilpatrick, General H.J 15 

Lee, Rita Mary 301 

Lee, William 2 284 

Lincoln, Pres. Abraham 10 

Litchfield, Col. A. C 2 27 



Longman, Arthur 2 -o ( 

Loomis, Charles W 298 

Loomis, Capt. James B 282 

Lyon, Major Farnham 2 64 

Mann, Capt. Stephen B 2 220 

Mann, Col. William D 2 20-21 

;,. Lieut. John B 2 283 

McOormick, Capt. George W 2 202 

310 



NAME. NO. OF PICTURES. PAGE. 

McDonald, John L 2 107 

McNaughton, Lieut. Daniel 2 73 

Milbourn, Frank 2 181 

Monument 1 VII. 

Nash, Chaplain Charles P 71 

Newcomb, Major George K 50 

Olmstead, Albert H 183 

Ormsby, Reuben N 280 

Perry, George R 299 

Perry, Oliver H 2 134 

Pollard, William H 175 

Pray, Andrew ; , 2 170 

Raymond, Walden W . 209 

Robinson, Frank 297 

Rock, James L 2 146-147 

Rose, David B 124 

Russell, Edwin O 184 

Sessions, Lieut. J'. Q. A 2 160 

Shafer, Dr. Marion A 81 

Sheridan, Gen. Phil. H 14 

Shotwell, Albert 2 167 

Simpson, John F 2 287 

Smith, Lieut. Harmon 229 

Smith, James 123 

Space, Nathan H 236 

Sproul, Major Robert 2 52 

Streeter, Raymond T 102 

Thomas, Lieut. Henry F 113 

Tubbs, Lieut. Butler S 245 

Vynne, Mrs. Emma Mann 300 

Von Daniels, Ernest 143 

Watson, George W 2 216 

Weston, Dr. Adelbert H 2 114 

White, Charles P 2 232 

Willett, Duane 294 

Williams. Thomas C 2 293 

Wilson, Rev. John N 2 1 38 



311 



INDEX 

HISTORICAL SKETCHES 



SUBJECT. AUTHOR. PAGE. 

Absent Members Dr. A. B. Isham 303 

Advance and Retreat Wm. H. Hibbard 250 

Andersonville W. V. Bowles 272 

Andersonville John F. Simpson 288 

Appendix 302 

Appomattox Farnham Lyon 65 

Appomattox Andrew Pray 173 

Army Traffic O. H. Perry 135 

Attacked by a Woman W. C. Barden 248 

Battle Near Richmond, 1864 A. C. Litchfield 28 

Booth, John Wilkes, Watching for E. O. Russell 184 

Brandy Station, Battle of Geo. G. Briggs 35 

Cedar Creek, Battle of Jas. L. Carpenter 59 

Condensed Statistics VII. 

Countermanding Gen. Sheridan's Order Wm. Hastings 262 

Death of a Gallant Officer 159 

Disappointments William O. Lee 284 

Experience, An N. H. Space 237 

Flag of Truce, The Geo. G. Briggs 40 

Frank A. Barr 

Foraging Around Trevilian's Station James L. Rock 147 

Gettysburg, Battle of G. A. Armstrong 155 

Gettysburg, Battle of, "Letter" J. G. Birney 158 

Gettysburg J- L. Carpenter 56 

Granger's Major H. W., Death David B. Rose 125 

Incidents of the Campaign of 1864 R. M. Bellinger 98 

Incident in the History of the 7th Mich. Cav. . D. H. Darling 46 

Incident, An William F4sher 256 

Incidents Rev. Chas. P. Nash. . 71 

Inside Rebel Lines and Not Captured Ray T. Streeter 102 

[introductory Compiler III. 

Kilpatrick's Raid Around Richmond, 1864.... D. G. Genney 212 

312 



SUBJECT. AUTHOR. PAGE. 

Kilpatrick's Raid Around Richmond W. H. Pollard 176 

Kilpatrick's Raid Around Richmond Andrew Pray 171 

Lee's Surrender B. Hulce 264 

Left on Picket E. Von Daniels 143 

Lost My Leg, When I O. A. Jubb 295 

Monument, Description of IX. 

Mosby Destroyed Our Train, How E. R. Havens 90 

Mosby's Pickets, Passing Rev. J. N. Wilson 138 

Officers of the Association I. 

Officers, Field and Staff 19 

Organization of the 7th Mich. Cav W. D. Mann 22 

Personal Experience on Kilpatrick's Raid R. H. Holmes 197 

Picket Duty, First and Only Two Days Wm. H. Fisher 86 

Picket Line, The J. Q. A. Sessions 161 

Poem, Andersonville W. V. Bowles 272 

Preface II. 

Recollections Henry DeGraff 78 

Recollections, Exciting Frank Milbourn 182 

Reminiscences H. L. Anthony 97 

Reminiscences E. W. Barnes 269 

Reminiscences Geo. P. Cobb 189 

Reminiscences A. Longman 258 

Reminiscences S. B. Mann 221 

Reminiscences G. W. McCormick. . . . 203 

Reminiscences J. L. McDonald 108 

Reminiscences Daniel McNaughton. . 73 

Reminiscences, Mosiby's Men W. W. Raymond 209 

Roll of Honor Dr. A. B. Isham 302 

Shenandoah Valley in 1864 W. E. House 117 

Sheridan and Custer, Generals, With 'Geo. W. Dobson 180 

Shock, A Dr. A. H. Weston. ... 115 

Story of the War J. M. Page 273 

Trevilian's Station W. F. Kenfield 238 

Trevilian's Station, Incidents of Dr. M. A. Shafer 81 

Trevilian's Station, Battle of Harmon Smith 229 

Trevilian's Station, Battle of Robert Sproul 53 

Under Command of General Sheridan Geo. W. Watson 217 

Under Fire, The First Time David Bierd 278 

Warrenton Junction, Reconnaissance Around.. Wm. G. Gage 129 

Washington to Fairfax, Our First March from. O. I. Hunt 105 

Winchester .A. Shotwell 167 

Yellow Tavern, Death of Major Granger and 

General J. E. B. Stuart Dr. A. B. Isham 224 

313 



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